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Research: WARD and co-authors,
Listed in Issue 153
Abstract
WARD and co-authors, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, nward@cyllene.uwa.edu.au, have conducted a randomized controlled trial of vitamin E in diabetes.
Background
Oxidative stress has been suggested to play a role in the development of diabetes, hypertension and vascular dysfunction. Vitamin E is a major dietary antioxidant occurring in two major forms, alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol supplementation on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate, vascular function and oxidative stress in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Methodology
58 individuals with type 2 diabetes were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomized to a daily dose of 500 mg/day alpha-tocopherol, 500 mg/day mixed tocopherols (60% gamma-tocopherol) or placebo for 6 weeks. Primary endpoints were 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate, endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation and plasma and urinary F2-isoprostanes.
Results
Treatment with alpha-tocopherol significantly increased systolic blood pressure [7.0 mmHg, p < 0.0001], diastolic blood pressure [5.3 mmHg, p < 0.0001], pulse pressure [1.8 mmHg, p < 0.005] and heart rate [2.0 bpm, p < 0.005] compared to placebo. Treatment with mixed tocopherols significantly increased systolic blood pressure [6.8 mmHg, p < 0.0001], diastolic blood pressure [3.6 mmHg, p < 0.0001], pulse pressure [3.2 mmHg, p < 0.0001] and heart rate [1.8 bpm, p < 0.01] compared to placebo. Treatment with alpha-tocopherol or mixed tocopherols significantly reduced plasma F2-isoprostanes versus placebo, but had no effect on urinary F2-isoprostanes. Endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation was not affected by either treatment.
Conclusion
In contrast to the initial hypothesis, treatment with either alpha- or mixed tocopherols significantly increased blood pressure, pulse pressure and heart rate in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
References
Ward NC et al. The effect of vitamin E on blood pressure in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Hypertension 25 (1): 227-234, Jan 2007.
