Positive Health Online

Abstract

ULRICH-MERZENICH and co-workers, Medizinixche Poliklinik, University of Bonn, Germany, Gudrun.Ulrich-Merzenich@uni-bonn.de, have discovered that vitamin C and vitamin E modulate human vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Background

Vitamins C and E are thought to play a role in atherosclerosis. In order to investigate this further, their effects, and the effect of varying concentrations of the oxidised form of Low Densitiy Lipoprotein (LDL) (which acted to simulate an atherosclerosis- promoting agent) on arterial endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (both cell types that make up the walls of arteries) in culture were investigated.

Methodology

Cells in culture were incubated with ‘preventive’ concentrations of vitamins C and E or both together. Cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were then measured.

Results

Vitamin C alone or in combination with vitamin E increased significantly cell proliferation and DNA synthesis in endothelial cells but decreased both in smooth muscle cells. It was found that the oxidised form of LDL promotes the proliferation of smooth muscle cells but decreases the growth of endothelial cells. Its effects could be partly reversed by high concentrations of antioxidant vitamins.

Conclusion

Vitamins C and E may act to prevent atherosclerosis in two steps: first by stimulating regrowth of the endothelium, and second by inhibiting smooth muscle cell growth.

References

Ulrich-Merzenich G, Metzner C, Schiermeyer B, Vetter H, et al. Vitamin C and E antagonistically modulate human vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell DNA synthesis and proliferation. European Journal of Nutrition 41 (1): 27-34, Feb 2002.

Comment

Again, a clinically significant result that ought to result in the prescription of vitamins C and E within the treatment protocols of heart attack patients. @i:84