Application of a new test for vitamin E deficiency to cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis patients with pancreatic insufficiency are at risk for the development of vitamin E deficiency. We report here the outcome of screening 13 cystic fibrosis patients with conventional descriptive measures of vitamin E status and a new functional test. The results were compared with those from age appropriate controls. Nine patients were found to be vitamin E sufficient based upon normal plasma vitamin E levels, the ratio of plasma vitamin E to total plasma lipids, and normal levels of in vitro erythrocyte malondialdehyde formation, the new functional measure of vitamin E status. Four patients considered vitamin E deficient, based upon low plasma vitamin E levels and plasma vitamin E to total plasma lipid ratios, demonstrated increased erythrocyte malondialdehyde formation in vitro when compared to age-matched controls. Since limited reference data in children are available to define normal plasma vitamin E levels and plasma vitamin E to total plasma lipid ratios, we suggest that for cystic fibrosis patients the functional in vitro malondialdehyde formation test may be a better measure of vitamin E status than static plasma levels.
Cynamon
H A
HA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550-2776.
Isenberg
J N
JN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008314:Malonates / Q000097:blood*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
D008314:Malonates; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde