Effect of peritoneal dialysis on plasma levels of ascorbic acid.

The effect of peritoneal dialysis on plasma ascorbate levels was investigated in 32 patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. Our studies demonstrated a high peritoneal clearance of ascorbic acid resulting in a significant loss into the dialysate. The quantity of ascorbic acid lost by patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis was proportional to the predialysis ascorbic acid levels. Since the ascorbic acid lost from the plasma during peritoneal dialysis is not adequately replaced by dietary consumption of vitamin C, patients undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis should receive ascorbic acid supplementation as an important part of their therapeutic regimen.