Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences

Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences

Effect of Vitamin C on Platelet Indices (CBC) in Platelet Donors: A Comparative Study Between Intervention and Control Groups

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Shahriar Saeidian 1
Mehri Tafaghodi 2
Elham Ghasemifar 3
Elika Saeedyan 4
1 Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2 MSc in Biochemistry, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant Professor of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
4 Student of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Kurdistan, Iran
10.22038/mjms.2026.94891.5242
Abstract
Introduction:VitaminC, as an antioxidant may influence the quantity and quality of platelets in repeated platelet donors through oxidative stress and platelet activation, thereby exerting a supportive role in improving platelet indices. This study was designed to investigate the effect of daily vitamin C supplementation on platelet indices in platelet donors.
Methods:This quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest design and a control group was conducted on 60 healthy volunteers. The intervention group received 1000 mg of vitamin C daily for 30 days, while the control group received no intervention. Platelet indices, including platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and plateletcrit were measured before the intervention and at the end of the study period. Data analysis was performed using paired t-test for within-group comparisons and independent t-test for between-group comparisons. A significance level of 0.05 was considered.
Results:Following vitamin C supplementation, the intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in PLT (ΔPLT = 12.4 ± 3.21 ×10³/µL; p = 0.021; effect size d = 0.84) and a significant decrease in MPV (ΔMPV = 0.32 ± 0.58 fL; p = 0.045; d = 0.63) compared with baseline values. The observed pattern was consistent with improved platelet quality and maturation, as well as enhanced thrombopoiesis.
Conclusion:VitaminC supplementation in repeated platelet donors resulted in a significant increase in platelet count, a reduction in mean platelet volume, and an increase in plateletcrit. These findings suggest that vitamin C may exert a protective and enhancing effect on platelet indices by reducing oxidative stress and supporting thrombopoiesis.
Keywords
Ascorbic Acid
Platelet Count
Mean Platelet Volume
Blood Platelets
Blood Donors
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Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 69, Issue 5
June 2026
Pages 495-513