Ascorbic Acid Well-Tolerated in Adults with CMT1A

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Ascorbic Acid Well-Tolerated in Adults with CMT1A

http://english.farsnews.net/newstext.php?nn=8808201067

TEHRAN (FNA)- Findings of a new study revealed that Ascorbic acid at both doses

was safe and well tolerated in adults with CMT1A over 12 months.

According to a study published in the Lancet Journal, Charcot-Marie-Tooth

disease type 1A (CMT1A) is a hereditary peripheral neuropathy that affects

roughly one in 5000 births.

No specific therapy currently exists for this degenerative disorder, which is

characterized by distal progressive muscle atrophy and sensory loss, although

ascorbic acid has been shown to reduce demyelination and improve muscle function

in a transgenic mouse model of CMT1A.

This 12-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken

between September, 2005, and October, 2008.

Patients diagnosed with CMT1A according to clinical examination and confirmation

by genotyping were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive 1 g ascorbic

acid per day, 3 g ascorbic acid per day, or placebo.

Treatment allocation was based on a computer-generated list of random numbers in

blocks of 12, with stratification according to study site and sex; all

investigators and participants were unaware of treatment allocation. The primary

outcome was the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease neuropathy score (CMTNS) at 12

months. Analysis was by intention to treat.

The median change in CMTNS from baseline to 12 months was 0·5 points (95% CI

?0·3 to 1·4) for the placebo group (n=62), 0·7 points (0·0 to 1·4) for the 1 g

ascorbic acid group (n=56), and ?0·4 points (1·2 to 0·4) for the 3 g ascorbic

acid group (n=61).

The scientists did not find any significant difference in these changes between

the groups (p=0·14). The occurrence of adverse events did not differ between the

groups (p=0·74.)

They came to the conclusion that ascorbic acid at both doses was safe and well

tolerated in adults with CMT1A over 12 months. However, there were no

significant differences between the groups and the efficacy of ascorbic acid was

not shown.