[Regulation of the indices of neuroendocrine status in surgical patients with lung cancer using optimal doses of ascorbic acid].

Blood plasma and urine levels of ascorbic acid (AA) in patients with lung cancer and healthy donors, as well as changes in cortisol, ACTH, STH blood plasma levels have been studied before surgery and on the 1st and 7th day after surgery in patients who were given AA (2g/day) for 7 days preoperatively and postoperatively and patients who were not given AA. A significant decrease in AA blood plasma and urine levels has been observed in patients with lung cancer, as compared to healthy donors. Despite 7-day premedication with AA in patients with lung cancer, cortisol ACTH and STH concentrations remained practically unchanged. The levels of the above hormones depended on the course of the postoperative period and AA intake. A more rapid recovery of cortisol, ACTH and STH levels and uncomplicated postoperative period were observed in the majority of patients with lung cancer given AA before and after surgery, as compared to those who were not given AA, which is indicative of anti-stress AA effect. An increase in stress adaptation capacity in cancer patients due to normalizing effect of AA on the adrenal cortex function confirms the necessity and expediency of AA introduction into complex pre- and postoperative intensive therapy of patients with lung cancer.