The Nutrition in Medicine Research Group undertakes translational (bench-to-bedside) research, including observational and intervention studies, with the aim to prevent and treat various acute and chronic illnesses with specific nutrients, including vitamin C.
Critical illness and septic shock
Intravenous vitamin C and septic shock outcomes
A pilot randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of intravenous vitamin C on the outcomes of critically ill patients with septic shock in Christchurch Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
Status: recruiting
Funding: HRC and Canterbury Medical Research Foundation
Contact: anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
Publications: technical report, review article
Oxidative stress in critically ill patients
A multicentre biomarker study assessing oxidative stress in critically ill ventilated patients in Christchurch and Wellington Hospital Intensive Care Units.
Status: recruitment completed, sample and data analysis underway
Funding: partially funded by the HRC
Contact: anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
Infection and immune function
Vitamin C administration and pneumonia outcomes
A feasibility and pilot randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of intravenous and oral vitamin C on the outcomes of pneumonia patients in Christchurch Hospital.
Status: recruitment underway
Funding: HRC
Contact: steve.chambers@otago.ac.nz or anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
Community acquired pneumonia audit
A clinical notes audit determining community location and deprivation of pneumonia patients admitted to Christchurch Hospital.
Status: data collection underway
Contact: anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
Metabolic health
Vitamin C and renal function in diabetes mellitus
An observational study investigating the relationship between vitamin C and renal function in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Status: underway
Contact: anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
Mood and cognitive health
Vitamin C in Parkinson's disease
A biomarker study assessing vitamin C status and oxidative stress in patients with Parkinson’s disease in the Canterbury region.
Status: recruitment completed, sample and data analysis underway
Funding: partially funded by the New Zealand Brain Research Institute
Contact: anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
Inflammation in patients with depression
An observational study assessing the vitamin C status and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with major depression and bipolar disorder in the Canterbury region.
Status: recruiting
Funding: partially funded by the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation
Contact: anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
Vitamin C in prenatal depression
A study assessing the vitamin C status of pregnant women with depression and anxiety in the Canterbury region who have been given a micronutrient supplement.
Status: recruiting
Funding: partially funded by the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation
Contact: anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
Patient quality of life
Alleviating the symptoms of myeloma patients
A pilot randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of vitamin C supplementation on the symptoms of myeloma patients in Christchurch Hospital Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit.
Status: recruitment underway
Funding: Richdale Charitable Trust
Contact: anitra.carr@otago.ac.nz
