Role of vitamin C in the elimination of caffiene

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if caffeine and ascorbic acid combine to form a detectable complex in human sweat and urine, following oral intake. Twelve subjects (n=12) from the Ball State University Adult Physical Fitness Program volunteered to take part in this study. The experimental trial consisted of a two week period. During one week, subjects ingested caffeine and ascorbic acid tablets one hour prior to their arrival at the fitness center. During the other week, only ascorbic acid tablets were ingested. Once at the fitness center, subjects gave a urine sample, then exercised with a plastic bag over their hand in order that a sweat sample could be obtained. Urine and sweat samples were analyzed by ultraviolet spectrophotometry to determine absorbance peak height and position for ascorbic acid and caffeine.For caffeine, a significant difference was noted between sweat and urine samples for peak height, with a greater peak height for urine samples (3.48 ± 0.18 AU vs. 3.37 ± 0.17 AU). There was a significant difference noted in ascorbic acid peak position between the CA-AA and AA trials in sweat samples, 249.42 ±1.51 nm and 250.17 ± 1.34 nm, respectively. A significant difference in ascorbic acid peak height was observed in sweat and urine samples when comparing CA-AA and AA trials. With ascorbic acid height being lower in the CA-AA trial for both sample types. There was no significant difference in ascorbic acid peak position or height when comparing sweat to urine samples for each respective trial. Although no peak specifically corresponding to a caffeine-ascorbic acid complex was observed in this study. One can not rule out the occurrence of such an interaction, since a shift was observed in ascorbic acid peak height and position, which may indicate complex formation.