Effect of vitamin C on tendinopathy recovery: A scoping review

Abstract

Tendinopathies represent 30–50% of all sports injuries. The tendon response is influenced by the load (volume, intensity, and frequency) that the tendon support, resulting in irritability and pain, among others. The main molecular component of tendons is collagen I (60–85%). The rest consist of glycosaminoglycans-proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and other collagen subtypes. This study’s aim was to critically evaluate the efficacy of vitamin C supplementation in the treatment of tendinopathies. At the same time, the study aims to determine the optimal conditions (dose and time) for vitamin C supplementation. A structured search was carried out in the SCOPUS, Medline (PubMed), and Web of Science (WOS) databases. The inclusion criteria took into account studies describing optimal tendon recovery when using vitamin C alone or in combination with other compounds. The study design was considered, including randomized, double-blind controlled, and parallel designs in animal models or humans. The main outcome is that vitamin C supplementation is potentially useful as a therapeutic approach for tendinopathy recovery. Vitamin C supplementation, alone or in combination with other products, increases collagen synthesis with a consequent improvement in the patient’s condition. On the other hand, vitamin C deficiency is mainly associated with a decrease in procollagen synthesis and reduced hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues, hindering the tendon repair process.