In this preliminary study of patients with sepsis and ARDS, a 96-hour infusion of vitamin C compared with placebo did not significantly improve organ dysfunction scores or alter markers of inflammation and vascular injury. Further research would be needed to evaluate the potential role of vitamin C for other outcomes in sepsis and ARDS.

This study has several limitations. First, CITRIS-ALI as proposed was based on a previously performed phase 1 safety trial of vitamin C administered to patients in the very early stages of severe sepsis, not ARDS.

Among 167 randomized patients completed the study to day 60.

There were no significant differences between the vitamin C and placebo groups in the primary end points of change in mean modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score from baseline to 96 hours or in C-reactive protein levels and thrombomodulin levels at 168 hours.

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