Lutein supplementation improves visual performance in Chinese drivers: 1-year randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled study

ObjectivesAlthough it is known that the carotenoid lutein can affect visual performance, we still have much to learn about its effect in occupational populations, like drivers. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of lutein supplementation on visual function in healthy drivers with long-term light exposure.MethodsThe study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 1-y intervention study. It included 120 normal participants (drivers). The active (A) group consumed 20 mg of lutein daily. Participants were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo (V0, V1, V2, V3, and V4, respectively). Assessment included visual acuity, serum lutein concentrations, macular pigment optical density (MPOD), and visual performance. At the onset and at the end of the intervention, dietary intakes of lutein and visual-related quality of life were measured.ResultsThere was a trend (in the active group) toward an increase in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity measured, but there were no significant differences. Serum lutein and central MPOD in the active group increased significantly, whereas no change was observed in the placebo group. We observed significant increases in contrast and glare sensitivity, especially in the mesopic condition. There were significant improvements in the score of the National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Functioning Questionnaire driving subscale in the active group.ConclusionsDaily supplementation with 20 mg of lutein increases MPOD levels. Lutein may benefit driving at night and other spatial discrimination tasks carried out under low illumination.     

Oral magnesium supplementation in asthmatic children: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term effect of oral magnesium supplementation on clinical symptoms, bronchial reactivity, lung function and allergen-induced skin responses in children and adolescents with moderate persistent asthma. DESIGN: A double-blind randomized parallel placebo-controlled study. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The patients were recruited from the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic, Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, and followed at the Center for Investigation in Pediatrics at State University of Campinas Hospital, Brazil. Thirty-seven out of 72 patients met the study criteria. There were no dropouts. INTERVENTION: The 37 patients (aged 7-19 years, 19 males) were randomized in two groups: magnesium (n=18, 300 mg/day) and placebo (n=19), during 2 months. Both patient groups received inhaled fluticasone (250 microg twice a day) and salbutamol as needed. The primary outcome was bronchial reactivity evaluated with methacholine challenge test (PC20). RESULTS: After a follow-up of 2 months, the methacholine PC20 for testing bronchial reactivity has augmented significantly in the magnesium group only. The skin responses to recognized antigens have also decreased in patients treated with magnesium. The forced vital capacity (FVC), the forced expiratory volume at first second (FEV1), the forced expiratory flow at 25-75 and the FEV1/FVC ratio were similar in both groups. The magnesium group presented fewer asthma exacerbations and used less salbutamol compared to the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Oral magnesium supplementation helped to reduce bronchial reactivity to methacholine, to diminish their allergen-induced skin responses and to provide better symptom control in pediatric patients with moderate persistent asthma treated with inhaled fluticasone.     

Acamprosate during and after acute alcohol withdrawal: a double-blind placebo-controlled study in Spain

To test acamprosate's role as an aid in preventing relapse after detoxification, 296 alcohol-dependent patients entered a prospective, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel comparison of acamprosate treatment consisting of two 333 mg tablets given three times daily for 180 days with matching placebo treatment. Unlike previous studies, acamprosate was prescribed from the start of alcohol withdrawal, rather than after the detoxification process. During the treatment period, 110 patients dropped out. The two treatment groups were balanced with regard to baseline values and reasons for discontinuation. There was no difference between the groups in the severity of withdrawal symptoms as measured by the CIWA-Ar (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol scale). Acamprosate given during withdrawal did not cause unwanted effects. The cumulative abstinence duration (CAD, main end-point) was 19 days longer in the acamprosate treatment group than the placebo treatment group (analysis of variance on ranks, P = 0.0006) and the stable recovery duration, defined as the number of abstinent days between the last relapse into any drinking and the end of the trial, was 16 days longer in the acamprosate treatment group (P = 0.021). Continuous abstinence, estimated by survival analysis on time to first relapse, was achieved by 35% of acamprosate-treated patients and 26% of placebo-treated patients (log rank P = 0.068). The geometric mean of the ratio final/baseline values for serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin was 0.802 (placebo) and 0.733 (acamprosate) (P = 0.059). The geometric mean of the ratio final/baseline values for serum gamma-glutamyltransferase was 0.496 (placebo) and 0.415 (acamprosate) (P = 0.024) which corroborated the greater abstinence reported by the acamprosate group.     

Effects of Chungkookjang supplementation on obesity and atherosclerotic indices in overweight/obese subjects: a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

This study was designed to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-atherosclerotic effects of supplementation with Chungkookjang (CKJ), a traditional fermented soybean food, in overweight/obese subjects. The study was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial followed by a 3-week screening period. Overweight/obese subjects (both groups having a body mass index ≥23?kg/m(2) and waist hip ratio of ≥0.90 for men and ≥0.85 for women) who were not diagnosed with any disease were included in this study. Sixty subjects were randomly divided into a CKJ (n=30, 26?g/day) or placebo (n=30) group. During the 12-week intervention period, subjects were asked to maintain their usual diet and activity and not to take any functional foods or dietary supplements. Anthropometric parameters, abdominal fat distribution by computerized tomography, and blood parameters (lipid profile, atherosclerotic indices) before and after the 12-week intervention period were measured. Fifty-five subjects (29 CKJ group, 26 placebo group) finished the study. After the 12 weeks of supplementation, subjects in the CKJ group showed a significant improvement in apolipoprotein B (P<.05) compared with the placebo group. Visceral fat areas by computerized tomography scans and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 showed a tendency to decrease in the CKJ group, but there were no significant differences between the CKJ and placebo groups. These results suggested that CKJ supplementation has potential anti-atherosclerotic effects that might be more pronounced when combined with lifestyle modification.     

Effect of L-methionine supplementation on plasma homocysteine and other free amino acids: a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over study

OBJECTIVE: The essential amino acid L-methionine is a potential compound in the prophylaxis of recurrent or relapsing urinary tract infection due to acidification of urine. As an intermediate of L-methionine metabolism, homocysteine is formed. The objective was to study the metabolism of L-methionine and homocysteine, and to assess whether there are differences between patients with chronic urinary tract infection and healthy control subjects. DESIGN: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind intervention study with cross-over design. SETTING: Department of Nutritional Physiology, Institute of Nutrition in cooperation with the Department of Internal Medicine III, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany. SUBJECTS: Eight female patients with chronic urinary tract infection and 12 healthy women (controls). INTERVENTIONS: After a methionine-loading test, the volunteers received 500 mg L-methionine or a placebo three times daily for 4 weeks.Main outcome measures:Serum and urinary concentrations of methionine, homocysteine, cystathionine, cystine, serine, glycine and serum concentrations of vitamin B12, B6 and the state of folate. RESULTS: Homocysteine plasma concentrations increased from 9.4+/-2.7 micromol/l (patients) and 8.9+/-1.8 micromol/l (controls) in the placebo period to 11.2+/-4.1 micromol/l (P=0.031) and 11.0+/-2.3 micromol/l (P=0.000), respectively, during L-methionine supplementation. There were significant increases in serum methionine (53.6+/-22.0 micromol/l; P=0.003; n=20) and cystathionine (0.62+/-0.30 micromol/l; P=0.000; n=20) concentrations compared with the placebo period (33.0+/-12.0 and 0.30+/-0.10 micromol/l; n=20). Simultaneously, renal excretion of methionine and homocysteine was significantly higher during L-methionine intake. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an adequate vitamin status, the supplementation of 1500 mg of L-methionine daily significantly increases homocysteine plasma concentrations by an average of 2.0 micromol/l in patients and in control subjects. An optimal vitamin supplementation, especially with folate, might prevent such an increase.     

Pomegranate juice supplementation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a 5-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of antioxidant polyphenol-rich pomegranate juice (PJ) supplementation for 5 weeks on patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), since the oxidative stress plays a major role in the evolution and pathophysiology of COPD. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. SUBJECTS: A total of 30 patients with stable COPD were randomly distributed in two groups (15 patients each). INTERVENTIONS: Both groups consumed either 400 ml PJ daily or matched placebo (synthetic orange-flavoured drink) for 5 weeks. Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) of PJ, blood parameters (14 haematological and 18 serobiochemical), respiratory function variables, bioavailability of PJ polyphenols (plasma and urine) and urinary isoprostane (8-iso-PGF(2alpha)) were evaluated. RESULTS: The daily dose of PJ (containing 2.66 g polyphenols) provided 4 mmol/l TEAC. None of the polyphenols present in PJ were detected in plasma or in urine of volunteers. The most abundant PJ polyphenols, ellagitannins, were metabolized by the colonic microflora of COPD patients to yield two major metabolites in both plasma and urine (dibenzopyranone derivatives) with no TEAC. No differences were found (P > 0.05) between PJ and placebo groups for any of the parameters evaluated (serobiochemical and haematological), urinary 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), respiratory function variables and clinical symptoms of COPD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PJ supplementation adds no benefit to the current standard therapy in patients with stable COPD. The high TEAC of PJ cannot be extrapolated in vivo probably due to the metabolism of its polyphenols by the colonic microflora. The understanding of the different bioavailability of dietary polyphenols is critical before claiming any antioxidant-related health benefit. SPONSORSHIP: 'Fundación Séneca' (Murcia, Spain), Project PB/18/FS/02 and Spanish CICYT, Project AGL2003-02195.     

Vitamin A supplementation reduces measles morbidity in young African children: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

The effects of vitamin A supplementation on measles morbidity are unclear. Sixty hospitalized children aged 4-24 mo with complicated measles received a World Health Organization--(WHO) recommended dose of vitamin A or placebo. The two groups were comparable in known covariants of measles severity: weight-for-age percentiles, overcrowding, rash, total lymphocytes, and serum concentrations of zinc, albumin, prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, and vitamins A and E. Ninety percent of the patients had hyporetinemia. Integrated morbidity scores, determined by severity of condition (eg, diarrhoea, herpes, and respiratory-tract infection) were assigned on day 8 and 6 wk and 6 mo; these were reduced by 82%, 61%, and 85%, respectively, in the supplemented group, which was mainly due to reduced respiratory-tract infection. There was one death in the placebo group. At 6 wk weight gain was significant in the supplemented group. Despite the selected sample, attention to multiple covariates enhances the validity of the data obtained and supports the current WHO recommendations for vitamin A supplementation during measles.     

Effect of fish-oil supplementation on mental well-being in older subjects: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: It is suggested that a low intake of fish and/or n-3 PUFA is associated with depressed mood. However, results from epidemiologic studies are mixed, and randomized trials have mainly been performed in depressed patients, yielding conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on mental well-being in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. DESIGN: Independently living individuals (n = 302) aged > or =65 y were randomly assigned to consume 1800 mg/d EPA+DHA, 400 mg/d EPA+DHA, or placebo capsules for 26 wk. Changes in mental well-being were assessed as the primary outcome with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A). RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of EPA+DHA increased by 238% in the high-dose and 51% in the low-dose fish-oil group compared with the placebo group, reflecting excellent compliance. Baseline CES-D scores ranged from 5.9 to 6.8 in the 3 groups and were not significantly different between groups. Mean changes in CES-D scores after 26 wk were -0.2, 0.2, and -0.4 (P = 0.87) in the high-dose fish oil, low-dose fish oil, and placebo groups, respectively. Treatment with neither 1800 mg nor 400 mg EPA+DHA differentially affected any of the measures of mental well-being after 13 or 26 wk of intervention compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we observed no effect of EPA+DHA supplementation for 26 wk on mental well-being in the general older population studied. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00124852.     

Lutein,but not alpha-tocopherol,supplementation improves visual function in patients with age-related cataracts: a 2-y double-blind,placebo-controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of long-term antioxidant supplementation (lutein and alpha-tocopherol) on serum levels and visual performance in patients with cataracts. METHODS: Seventeen patients clinically diagnosed with age-related cataracts were randomized in a double-blind study involving dietary supplementation with lutein (15 mg; n = 5), alpha-tocopherol (100 mg; n = 6), or placebo (n = 6), three times a week for up to 2 y. Serum carotenoid and tocopherol concentrations were determined with quality-controlled high-performance liquid chromatography, and visual performance (visual acuity and glare sensitivity) and biochemical and hematologic indexes were monitored every 3 mo throughout the study. Changes in these parameters were assessed by General Linear Model (GLM) repeated measures analysis. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of lutein and alpha-tocopherol increased with supplementation, although statistical significance was reached only in the lutein group. Visual performance (visual acuity and glare sensitivity) improved in the lutein group, whereas there was a trend toward the maintenance of and decrease in visual acuity with alpha-tocopherol and placebo supplementation, respectively. No significant side effects or changes in biochemical or hematologic profiles were observed in any of the subjects during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Visual function in patients with age-related cataracts who received the lutein supplements improved, suggesting that a higher intake of lutein, through lutein-rich fruit and vegetables or supplements, may have beneficial effects on the visual performance of people with age-related cataracts.     

Soy in hypercholesterolaemia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To study whether Abacor, a product based on isolated soy protein with high and standardised levels of isoflavones and cotyledon soy fibres, was more effective in lowering total and LDL cholesterol than placebo. DESIGN: Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, single centre study. SETTING: Primary care in Joensuu, North Karelia, Finland. SUBJECTS: Subjects were screened from the patient database of the health centre; 30 were randomised to the Abacor group and 30 subjects to placebo. Eight subjects were withdrawn, six from the active group, two from the placebo group. INTERVENTION: The preparations were given as two daily liquid supplements in addition to the subjects' regular diets for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Abacor showed a statistically significant lipid-lowering effect as compared to placebo, although an unexpected reduction was seen in the placebo group. The estimated difference between active treatment and placebo was 0.25 mmol/l (95% CI 0.01, 0.50; P=0.049) for total cholesterol, corresponding to reductions of 8.3 and 5.1%, respectively. The difference in reduction of LDL-cholesterol was 0.27 mmol/l (95% CI 0.06, 0.49; P=0.014) and corresponded to a reduction of 13.2% in the active treatment group, and 8.0% in the placebo group. Abacor showed a rapid onset of effect, as compared with placebo. During a wash-out period of 4 weeks after treatment, the subjects returned to pre-treatment cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: Added to a regular diet, Abacor significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol. These beneficial effects occurred within 6 weeks of treatment.     

Vitamin E and ginseng supplementation to enhance female sexual function: a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Female sexual disorders (FSD) are a spectrum of disorders common among women, especially in their middle age, which can reduce the female quality of life substantially. We aimed to evaluate the effects of a combined vitamin E and ginseng supplement on amelioration of female sexual dysfunction. In a 6-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, participants, suffering from sexual dysfunction based on the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire, were randomly allocated to receive the supplement (100 IU vitamin E, 67 mg Korean ginseng, and 40 mg Siberian ginseng) or placebo daily. The primary outcome in our trial was the change in the FSFI total score. Sixty-nine participants were enrolled, but only 31 in each group completed the trial. Changes in the FSFI total score and its domain scores were significant during the trial course within each group. However, the supplement only ameliorated desire and satisfaction domains superior to the placebo. In case of the total score and other domains, the changes were insignificantly different between the treatment groups. Although our study could not find additional benefits for the vitamin E and ginseng supplement over placebo in enhancing sexual function overall, the supplement worked better in enhancing sexual desire and satisfaction.     

Fumaric acid therapy in psoriasis; a double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Thirty-nine patients with psoriasis (12 females, 27 males) entered a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the efficacy of fumaric acid therapy in an outpatient setting. During 16 weeks the patients were treated with tablets containing a combination of dimethylfumarate and different salts of monoethylfumarate, with octylhydrogen fumarate or with placebo tablets. All patients were treated with identical indifferent topical therapy and followed an elimination diet (avoidance of spices, wine and nuts). Thirty-four patients completed the study. Five patients dropped out because of side effects or aggravation of the skin lesions. The patients treated with the combination of monoethyl- and dimethylfumarate showed a significantly better therapeutic response compared with those who were treated with placebo or octylhydrogen fumarate. Side effects of the fumarate containing tablets were flushing, diarrhoea, a reversible elevation of transaminases, lymphocytopenia and eosinophilia. One patient developed a disturbance of the kidney function which normalised after discontinuation of the therapy.     

Acamprosate in Korean alcohol-dependent patients: a multi-centre,randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled study

AIMS:A multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of acamprosate over 8 weeks in Korean alcohol-dependent patients. METHODS: One hundred and forty-two alcohol-dependent patients in 12 centres were randomized to 8 weeks treatment with either acamprosate (n = 72) or a placebo (n = 70) in combination with out-patient psychosocial intervention. They were predominantly male (95.8%), with a mean age of 44.3 +/- 8.3 years; 76.1% were married; 59.9% were employed; 58.5% had received previous alcoholism treatment (previous mean number of admissions in alcoholism in-patient programmes 4.6 +/- 6.9). At visits to the clinic (weekly for 4 weeks, then biweekly for 4 weeks), a record was made of alcohol use (Time-Line Follow-Back), alcohol craving using a Korean version of the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale and a visual analogue scale, and adverse events. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were measured on weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8. RESULTS: In the acamprosate group (A), 71.4% had had alcohol within the 2 days prior to starting medication, against 65.2% of patients in the placebo group (P); (P > 0.05). One hundred and one subjects (71.1%) completed 8-weeks of treatment (A, 73.6%; P, 68.6%; P > 0.05). During the 8-week treatment period, 37, (A) (n = 72) and 32% (P) (n = 70) achieved continuous abstinence (P > 0.05), and 40, (A) and 39% (P) remained without relapse (P > 0.05) (defined as a day when a man consumed five or more drinks or a woman four or more drinks). The percentage of days abstinent during the 8-week treatment period was 81.2, (A) and 78.5% (P) (P > 0.05), and the percentage of days without heavy drinking 86.1 (A) and 84.9% (P) (P > 0.05). The mean amount drunk per drinking occasion was 7.2, (A) and 8.6 standard drinks (P) (P > 0.05). No statistically significant differences in changes in the serum GGT level or craving scores from baseline to the end-point of treatment were found between the two groups. Recency of drinking prior to commencing study drug predicted percentage of days abstinent in the first 2 weeks on treatment; however, when ANOVAs were conducted using treatment outcomes as a dependent variable, medication condition as an independent variable and the period of abstinence prior to treatment as a covariate, a significant effect of medication condition was still not seen. CONCLUSIONS: Acamprosate was ineffective in reducing drinking in this Korean sample. The result differs from that of most European acamprosate trials. This might be explained by our sample's relatively severe alcohol dependence, and low social support, or the fact that many patients were still drinking near to their first medication. The variability of the psychosocial support, ethnicity (which might also affect acamprosate pharmacokinetics) and the Korean drinking style, which differs from that of Europeans, might have contributed to our negative result.     

营养性肥胖大鼠氧应激水平的改变

目的观察营养性肥胖大鼠氧应激、抗氧化能力的改变。方法20只断乳的SD雄性大鼠(75~80g)随机分两组,每组10只。膳食诱导肥胖组(DIO组)喂饲高脂饲料,对照组喂饲基础饲料,10周后取血及睾周、肾周脂肪组织。用ELISA法检测血浆8-表氧-前列腺素2α(8-epi-PGF2α)、二硫代双硝基苯甲酸法测血浆抗氧化酶GPX(谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶)活性、黄嘌呤氧化酶法测血浆SOD(超氧化物歧化酶)活性,HPLC(高效液相色谱仪)测血浆维生素E并经血脂校正。同时测血浆空腹血糖、胰岛素、三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TCHL)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)等糖脂代谢指标。结果高脂喂养10周后,DIO组的各项肥胖指标(体重、腹部脂肪/体重、Lee’s指数)均高于对照组(P<0.01);血浆8-epi-PGF2α增高,SOD和GPX活性、经血脂校正后的血浆维生素E水平显著降低(P<0.05)。另有脂代谢紊乱,空腹血糖与胰岛素也显著高于对照组。结论高脂喂养肥胖大鼠模型显示血脂升高并伴有胰岛素抵抗;氧应激水平增高而抗氧化能力下降。     

Effect of multimicronutrient supplementation on gestational length and birth size: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind effectiveness trial in Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND: Multiple micronutrient deficiencies may contribute to low birth weight, which is a major global determinant of mortality. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the effect of prenatal multimicronutrient supplementation on gestational length and birth size. DESIGN: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind effectiveness trial among antenatal care attendees in Harare, Zimbabwe. Pregnant women (22-35 wk of gestation) were randomly allocated to receive a multimicronutrient or placebo supplement daily until delivery. Supplementation with iron and folic acid was part of antenatal care. RESULTS: Of 1669 women, birth data were available from 1106 (66%), of whom 360 (33%) had HIV infection. The mean gestational length was 39.1 wk, and 16.6% of the women had a gestational length < 37 wk. The mean birth weight was 3030 g, and 10.5% of the infants had a birth weight < 2500 g. Multimicronutrient supplementation was associated with tendencies for increased gestational length (0.3 wk; 95% CI: -0.04, 0.6 wk; P = 0.06), birth weight (49 g; -6, 104 g; P = 0.08), and head circumference (0.2 cm; -0.02, 0.4 cm; P = 0.07) but was not associated with low birth weight (birth weight < 2500 g) (relative risk: 0.84; 0.59, 1.18; P = 0.31). The effect of multimicronutrient supplementation on birth weight was not significantly different between HIV-uninfected (26 g; -38, 91 g) and HIV-infected (101 g; -3, 205 g) subjects (interaction, P > 0.10). CONCLUSION: Antenatal multimicronutrient supplementation may be one strategy to increase birth size.     

Plasma ubiquinone status and response to six-month supplementation combined with multivitamins in healthy elderly women--results of a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum coenzyme Q10 concentrations of healthy elderly women before and after supplementation with coenzyme Q10 combined with multivitamins, selenium, and magnesium. In a randomized double-blind design, 220 free-living women aged 60 years and older were included. Median serum coenzyme Q10 concentration at baseline was 0.99 mumol/L (5-95 percentiles: 0.54-1.68) and cholesterol adjusted concentration was 0.16 (5-95 percentiles: 0.09-0.26) mmol/mol cholesterol. No significant correlations were found between Q10 levels and body mass index (BMI) or age. Q10 concentrations were not significantly different between smoking and nonsmoking women, nor between women with statin therapy and without. Furthermore no differences were seen between hyperlipidemic and normolipidemic subjects. Cholesterol-adjusted Q10 levels were positively correlated to lipid-adjusted serum tocopherol levels and negatively associated to serum beta-carotene. No significant correlation existed between adjusted Q10 levels and plasma selenium. Results of the food diaries showed a significant but weak correlation to meat and meat products and to alcohol intake. At baseline, Q10 levels did not differ between supplemented and control group. After six months, adjusted serum concentrations of the supplemented and the control group were significantly increased by 106% and 31%, respectively. In the supplemented group the change was inversely associated with the baseline concentration. A six-month supplementation with coenzyme Q10, vitamins, and selenium raises the blood concentration of coenzyme Q10 even in relatively well-nourished elderly women.     

Vitamin D supplementation improves cytokine profiles in patients with congestive heart failure: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Elevated circulating concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines may contribute to the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure (CHF). In vitro studies suggest that vitamin D suppresses proinflammatory cytokines and increases antiinflammatory cytokines. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the survival rate and different biochemical variables in patients with CHF. DESIGN: One hundred twenty-three patients randomly received either 50 mug vitamin D(3)/d plus 500 mg Ca/d [D(+) group] or placebo plus 500 mg Ca/d [D(-) group] for 9 mo. Biochemical variables were assessed at baseline and after 9 mo. The survival rate was calculated for a follow-up period of 15 mo. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients completed the study. Significant treatment effects were observed on logarithmic-transformed serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (P = 0.001), parathyroid hormone (P = 0.007), tumor necrosis factor alpha (P = 0.006), and interleukin 10 (P = 0.042). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D increased by 26.8 ng/mL in the D(+) group but increased only by 3.6 ng/mL in the D(-) group. Compared with baseline, parathyroid hormone was significantly lower and the antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 was significantly higher in the D(+) group after 9 mo. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha increased in the D(-) group but remained constant in the D(+) group. The survival rate did not differ significantly between the study groups during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D(3) reduces the inflammatory milieu in CHF patients and might serve as a new antiinflammatory agent for the future treatment of the disease. Our data provide evidence for the involvement of an impaired vitamin D-parathyroid hormone axis in the progression of CHF.     

Oxidative stress in marathon runners: interest of antioxidant supplementation

We have recently reported that xanthine oxidase is involved in the generation of free radicals in exhaustive exercise. Allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, prevents it. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the role of exercise-derived reactive oxygen species in the cell signalling pathways involved in the adaptation to exercise in man. We have found that exercise causes an increase in the activity of plasma xanthine oxidase and an activation of NF-kappaB in peripheral blood lymphocytes after marathon running. This activation is dependent on free radical formation in exercise: treatment with allopurinol completely prevents it. In animal models, we previously showed that NF-kappaB activation induced by exhaustive physical exercise leads to an increase in the expression of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme involved in antioxidant defence. We report evidence in man that reactive oxygen species act as signals in exercise as decreasing their formation prevents activation of important signalling pathways which can cause useful adaptations in cells.