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Research: HERNANDEZ and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 174
Abstract
HERNANDEZ and COLLEAGUES, The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7310, USA researched the effect of daily combination oral supplementation of 500 mg Vit E and 2 gm Vitamin C in allergic asthmatic volunteers.
Background
Oxidative stress plays a significant role in allergic airway inflammation. Supplementation with alpha-tocopherol (alone or combined with ascorbate/vitamin C) has been assessed as an intervention for allergic airway diseases with conflicting results. Enhancing levels of airway antioxidants with oral supplements has been suggested as an intervention to protect individuals from the effect of inhaled oxidants, although it is unclear whether supplementation changes tocopherol or vitamin C levels in both serum and airway fluids.
Methodology
The objective was to obtain pilot safety and dosing data from 14 allergic asthmatic volunteers examining the effect of daily combination oral therapy with 500 mg alpha-tocopherol (alpha T) and 2 g vitamin C for 12 wk. The authors examined serum and airway fluid and cellular levels of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol (gamma T) and vitamin C to plan for future studies of these agents in asthma and allergic rhinitis. Six volunteers completed 12 wk of active treatment with alpha T and vitamin C and 8 completed placebo. Blood and sputum samples were obtained at baseline and at 6 wk and 12 wk of therapy and were analyzed for alpha T, gamma T, and vitamin C levels in the serum, sputum supernatant, and sputum cells.
Results
Combination treatment increased serum vitamin C and significantly decreased sputum alpha T and serum gamma T levels. No changes were found in sputum supernatant or sputum cell vitamin C or serum alpha T levels in the active treatment group.
Conclusion
In conclusion, supplementation with alpha T and high-dose vitamin C does not augment vitamin C levels in the respiratory-tract lining fluid.
References
Hernandez M, Zhou H, Zhou B, Robinette C, Crissman K, Hatch G, Alexis NE and Peden D. Combination treatment with high-dose vitamin C and alpha-tocopherol does not enhance respiratory-tract lining fluid vitamin C levels in asthmatics. Inhalation Toxicology. 21 (3): 173-81. Feb 2009.
