The aim of this study was to determine whether ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation can lower plasma levels of Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) in patients diagnosed with functional hypercortisolemia due to unspecified chronic stress. Study includes data from 69 female with elevations in the cortisol and DHEA-S levels. Duration of follow-up was 2 months. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group I included patients 23 with elevated cortisol, Group II—patients 24 with elevated levels of both hormones, Group III- patients 22 with normal cortisol and increased DHEA-S. Each group was randomly divided into two subgroups. The first subgroup was prescribed 1000 mg daily oral dose of AA. The diet of the second subgroup were left unaltered. All patients have their hormones levels re-examined 2 months later. After 2 months of AA supplementation the mean levels of elevated plasma cortisol and DHEA-S decreased. In Group I the level of cortisol fell from 780 ± 57–446 ± 26 nmol/L, p = 0.000065 in Group II from 657 ± 47–515 ± 29 nmol/L, p = 0.005. The elevated levels of DHEA-S have also declined in patients from AA-treated subgroups (from 13.9 ± 1.6–9.9 ± 1.2, p = 0.0007 in Group II, and from 12.8 ± 1.0–7.8 ± 1.4, p = 0.003 in Group III). In untreated subgroups changes in hormone levels were insignificant. The study shows that female patients with functional hypercortisolemia or elevated levels of DHEA-S can be treated with AA to bring level of these hormones closer to a normal range.

中文翻译：

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补充维生素 C 可缓解慢性压力引起的高皮质醇血症

本研究的目的是确定补充抗坏血酸 (AA) 是否可以降低因未明确的慢性应激而诊断为功能性高皮质醇血症的患者的血浆皮质醇和硫酸脱氢表雄酮 (DHEA-S) 水平。研究包括 69 名皮质醇和 DHEA-S 水平升高的女性的数据。随访时间为2个月。患者被分为3组。第 I 组包括 23 名皮质醇升高的患者，第 II 组 - 24 名患者两种激素水平升高，第 III 组 - 22 名患者皮质醇正常但 DHEA-S 增加。每组被随机分为两个亚组。第一组每天口服 1000 毫克 AA。第二组的饮食保持不变。2个月后，所有患者都重新检查激素水平。补充 AA 2 个月后，升高的血浆皮质醇和 DHEA-S 的平均水平下降。在第一组中，皮质醇水平从 780 ± 57–446 ± 26 nmol/L，p  = 0.000065 下降，在第二组中，从 657 ± 47–515 ± 29 nmol/L，p  = 0.005。在接受 AA 治疗的亚组中，升高的 DHEA-S 水平也有所下降（II 组从 13.9 ± 1.6–9.9 ± 1.2，p  = 0.0007，III 组从 12.8 ± 1.0–7.8 ± 1.4，p  = 0.003 ）。在未经治疗的亚组中，激素水平的变化并不显着。研究表明，患有功能性高皮质醇血症或 DHEA-S 水平升高的女性患者可以接受 AA 治疗，以使这些激素的水平接近正常范围。