Effect of Vitamin C on Salivary Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in Healthy Non-Smokers

Antioxidant system is one of the most important protective mechanisms of saliva against free radicals. One of the most important antioxidant agents is vitamin C, which is effective in the treatment and prevention of oxidative stress. With regard to the effect of environmental, genetic, and nutritional factors on the balance between the production and expulsion of free radicals, the present study aimed to determine the effect of vitamin C on salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in non-smokers. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 healthy non-smokers referring to the Dental Clinic of Rafsanjan, Kerman, Iran, in 2017. After random division of the participants into three groups, the first and second groups were given 1000 and 500 milligrams of vitamin C effervescent tablet for 3 weeks, respectively. The third group did not receive any vitamin C supplements. The salivary TAC was measured before and after the intervention using an antioxidant kit and an ELISA reader. Data were analyzed using the paired t-test, one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan's post hoc test. Duncan's multiple comparisons test indicated that the mean changes (increase) in salivary TAC of the receiving groups of 500 and 1000 milligrams of vitamin C were not significantly different (P>0.05). However, the mean changes in salivary TAC in the control group were significantly lower than those receiving 500 and 1000 milligrams of vitamin C (P<0.001). The results of this study showed that the use of vitamin C as an antioxidant agent increases the salivary TAC.