Positive Health Online

Abstract

GODALA and COLLEAGUES, 1. Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Department of Hygiene of Nutrition and Epidemiology; 2. Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Department of Internal Diseases and Nephrodiabetology; 3. Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Department of Military Toxicology and Radiological Protection; 4. Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion; 5. Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, Poland; Department of Pulmonology and Allergology, Subcarpatian Centre of Pulmonary Diseases in Rzeszow, Poland; 6. Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Department of Internal and Infectious Diseases sought to assess the impact of regular physical activity (PA)and vitamin C supplementation on plasma vitamin A, C and E levels in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Background

Patients with cardiovascular diseases, including those with the symptoms of metabolic syndrome (MS), are recommended regular exercise but many studies indicate its role in the production of reactive oxygen species. Vitamin C supplementation may enhance the antioxidant barrier in MS patients. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of regular physical activity (PA)and vitamin C supplementation on plasma vitamin A, C and E levels in patients with MS.

Methodology

The study included 62 patients with MS according to International Diabetes Federation criteria, 32 men and 30 women, aged 38-57 years (mean age 51,24 ± 5,29 years). The patients were divided in two groups: group I (MS+PA) - 31 patients with recommended regular physical activity; group II ( MS+PA+C) - 31 patients with recommended regular physical activity and vitamin C supplementation per os. The control group consisted of 23 healthy individuals without MS, 17 men and 6 women, aged 49-56 years (mean age 53,21 ± 3,6 years), who were not recommended any vitamin supplementation nor physical activity. Plasma vitamin A, C and E levels were estimated in MS patients with spectrophotometry using T60V spectrophotometer (PG Instruments) before and after regular exercise with and without vitamin C supplementation. In the control group plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins were assessed only once.

Results

The plasma vitamin A, C and E levels were significantly lower (p<0,05) in MS patients than in the control group. After 6 weeks of regular physical activity a significant fall in plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins was observed in MS patients. In the group of patients with regular physical activity and vitamin C supplementation there was detected a significant rise in the level of all the tested vitamins close to the levels in control group.

Conclusion

Regular physical activity enhances the decrease in plasma antioxidant vitamin level in patients with MS. Vitamin C supplementation conducted in parallel with regular physical activity normalize plasma vitamin A, C and E levels in these patients.

References

Godala M1, Materek-Kuśmierkiewicz I2, Moczulski D2, Rutkowski M3, Szatko F4, Gaszyńska E4, Tokarski S5, Kowalski J6. [Physical activity in patients with symptoms of metabolic syndrome reduces the concentration of plasma antioxidant vitamins - protective effect of vitamin C]. [Article in Polish]. Pol Merkur Lekarski. 38(227):258-62. May 2015.

Comment

The above research demonstrates that physical activity and vitamin C supplementation normalize plasma vitamin A, C and E levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.