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Abstract

Introduction. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that exerts its effects at multiple cellular levels. However, evidence regarding its effects in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remain inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of vitamin as an adjunctive antioxidant therapy in patients with SLE by assessing its effects on serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and disease activity using the Mexical Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (MEX-SLEDAI) score.

Methods. This pilot double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital, Palembang. Participants were patients with mild-to-moderate SLE diagnosed according to the 2019 European Alliance of Association for Rheumatology/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria and assessed using the MEX-SLEDAI score. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin C (500 mg twice dailiy for 2 months) or placebo in addition to standard SLE therapy. Serum MDA levels and MEX-SLEDAI scores were measured at baseline and after the intervention.

Results. A total of 34 subjects were enrolled in the study. The mean baseline serum MDA concentration was 1.38 (SD 0.31) μmol/L. After 2 months of treatment, the vitamin C group demonstrated a significant reduction in serum MDA levels [1.38 (SD 0.38) μmol/L vs. 1.09 (SD 0.26) μmol/L; p = 0.003] and MEX-SLEDAI scores [median 2 (2–5) vs. 1 (0–2); p = 0.001]. In the placebo group, only the MEX-SLEDAI score decreased significantly [3 (2–7) vs. 2 (0–6); p = 0.016], whereas serum MDA levels showed no significant change [1.37 (SD 0.25) μmol/L vs. 1.32 (SD 0.38) μmol/L; p = 0.518]. Between-group comparisons revealed that both the reduction in MDA (p = 0.047) and MEX-SLEDAI (p=0.048) were significantly greater in the vitamin C group compared to placebo group.

Conclusions. Vitamin C supplementation at dose of 500 mg twice daily as an adjuct to standard therapy could reduce disease activity and serum MDA levels in patients with mild-to-moderate SLE.

Bahasa Abstract

Pendahuluan. Vitamin C merupakan antioksidan, bekerja pada berbagai tingkat seluler, mulai dari menangkal radikal bebas hingga meningkatkan sistem antioksidan endogen dan eksogen. Data mengenai suplementasi vitamin C terhadap kadar malondialdehida (MDA) dan aktivitas penyakit lupus eritematosus sistemik (LES) masih terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi potensi vitamin C sebagai terapi tambahan antioksidan pada pasien LES dengan menilai pengaruhnya terhadap kadar MDA serum dan aktivitas penyakit menggunakan skor Mexican systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (MEX-SLEDAI).

Metode. Penelitian ini merupakan sebuah studi pendahuluan berupa uji klinis acak, tersamar ganda, yang dilakukan di RSUP Dr. Mohammad Hoesin, Palembang. Peserta adalah pasien LES ringan hingga sedang yang didiagnosis berdasarkan kriteria European Alliance of Association for Rheumatology/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) 2019 dan dinilai menggunakan skor MEX-SLEDAI. Subjek diacak untuk menerima vitamin C (2 x 500 mg/hari selama 2 bulan) atau plasebo, sebagai tambahan terapi standar LES. Kadar MDA serum dan skor MEX-SLEDAI diukur sebelum dan sesudah intervensi. 

Hasil. Dari 34 subjek yang mengikuti penelitian, rerata kadar MDA serum adalah 1,38 [simpang baku (SB) 0,31] μmol/L. Setelah dua bulan terapi, kelompok vitamin C menunjukkan penurunan signifikan kadar MDA serum [1,38 (SB 0,38) μmol/L vs. 1,09 (SB 0,26) μmol/L; p = 0,003] dan skor MEX-SLEDAI [median 2 (rentang 2–5) vs. 1 (rentang 0–2); p = 0,001]. Pada kelompok plasebo, hanya skor MEX-SLEDAI yang menunjukkan penurunan signifikan [3 (rentang 2–7) vs. 2 (rentang 0–6); p = 0,016], sedangkan kadar MDA tidak berubah signifikan [1,37 (SB 0,25) μmol/L vs. 1,32 (SB 0,38) μmol/L; p = 0,518]. Perbandingan antarkelompok menunjukkan bahwa penurunan kadar MDA (p = 0,047) dan skor MEX-SLEDAI (p = 0,048) lebih besar secara signifikan pada kelompok vitamin C dibandingkan plasebo. 

Kesimpulan. Suplementasi vitamin C dengan dosis 2 x 500 mg dapat menurunkan nilai MEX-SLEDAI dan menurunkan kadar MDA serum pada pasien LES dengan derajat aktivitas ringan-sedang.

Kata Kunci: aktivitas penyakit, lupus eritematosus sistemik, malondialdehida, MEX- SLEDAI, vitamin C 

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