Liposomal delivery enhances absorption of vitamin C into plasma and leukocytes: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial

Abstract

Purpose: L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in various physiological functions, including immune health. The stability of vitamin C in the gastrointestinal tract its bioavailability is limited. This study aimed to investigate if a liposomal form of vitamin C can increase absorption compared to standard vitamin C.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, 19 males and 8 females (n = 27; 36.0 ± 5.1 years, 165.0 ± 6.9 cm, 70.6 ± 7.1 kg) ingested a single-dose of placebo (PLA), 500 mg vitamin C (VIT C), and 500 mg liposomal vitamin C (LV-VIT C, LipoVantage^®, Specnova, LLC, Tyson Corner, VA, USA). Venous blood samples were collected 0, 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-, and 24-hours after ingestion and were analyzed for plasma and leukocyte vitamin C concentration.

Results: VIT C and LV-VIT C demonstrated significantly greater Cmax and AUC_{0 - 24} in plasma and in leukocytes compared to placebo (p < 0.001). Additionally, LV-VIT C had significantly higher Cmax (plasma + 27%, leukocytes + 20%, p < 0.001) and AUC_{0 - 24} (plasma + 21%, leukocytes + 8%, p < 0.001) values as compared to VIT C.

Conclusion: Liposomal formulation of vitamin C increases absorption into plasma and leukocytes.

Trial registration: Clinical Trials Registry - India (CTRI/2023/04/051789).

Keywords: Bioavailability; Immune health; Liposome; Vitamin C.

Fig. 1

Schematic overview of research design

Fig. 2

CONSORT flow diagram

Fig. 3

Effects of liposomal delivery on vitamin C absorption. Raw concentrations of vitamin C in plasma (A) and leukocytes (B) are displayed for 24 h following ingestion of liposomal vitamin C (LV-VIT C), standard vitamin C (VIT C), or placebo (PLA)

Fig. 4

Pharmacokinetic comparison of vitamin C absorption. In plasma (A, B) and leukocytes (C, D), a significant benefit of liposomal delivery (LV-VIT C) on vitamin C maximal concentrations (Cmax) and area under the curve over 24 h (AUC_0 − 24) was observed. #=significant difference compared to placebo (PLA). *=significant difference compared to standard vitamin C (VIT C)