Figure 3

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels in septic placebo controls and ascorbic acid infused patients. (A) Both the Lo-AscA and the Hi-AscA dosages produced rapid reductions in serum CRP levels, becoming significantly lower than placebo (*p < 0.05 vs placebo) as early as 24 hours. Ascorbic acid infusion reduced CRP levels in both groups throughout the 4 study days (#p < 0.05 vs 0 hr). CRP levels in placebo patients slowly fell over the course of the 4 day study period. (B) Patients in the Lo-AscA and Hi-AscA groups exhibited reduced serum PCT levels beginning at 12 hours. Patients in the Hi-VitC group exhibited further significant reduction in serum PCT between 36 to 48 hours (#p < 0.05 vs 0 hr). Placebo patients exhibited a trend towards increased PCT levels which declined starting at 72 hours post onset of sepsis. Placebo (О), Lo-AscA (▼), Hi-AscA (▲).