Positive Health Online

Abstract

CARR and colleagues, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9032, USA, have looked at the effects of vitamin E supplementation in postmenopausal women.

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E with and without HRT on inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women.

Methodology

In this prospective, observational study, followed by a randomized, prospective, double-blind study, 75 postmenopausal healthy women were studied at baseline and received vitamin E for 4 weeks. They were then randomized from week 4 to week 12 to receive vitamin E in conjunction with oestrogen alone, oestrogen plus progesterone, or placebo. Changes from baseline and between groups effects of vitamin E on seven circulatory inflammatory markers were the main outcome measures.

Results

Vitamin E levels increased to a similar extent in all three groups compared with baseline at weeks 4 and 12. Vitamin E increased serum interleukin-6 levels. Combination HRT significantly increased C-reactive protein levels. However, there were no consistent statistically significant effects on six other inflammatory markers.

Conclusion

Vitamin E and HRT do not play a major role in promoting changes in cardiovascular inflammatory markers.

References

Carr BR, Khan N, Adams-Huet B, Kakarla N, Havelock JC, Gell J. Effect of vitamin E supplementation with and without hormone therapy on circulatory inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women. Fertility & Sterility 85 (3): 667-673, Mar 2006.