Serial coronary angiographic evidence that antioxidant vitamin intake reduces progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the association of supplementary and dietary vitamin E and C intake with the progression of coronary artery disease.


METHODS
A subgroup analysis of the on-trial antioxidant vitamin intake database acquired in the Cholesterol Lowering Atherosclerosis Study, a randomized, placebo-controlled, serial angiographic clinical trial evaluating the risk and benefit of colestipol-niacin on coronary artery disease progression.


METHODS
Community- and university-based cardiac catheterization laboratories.


METHODS
A total of 156 men aged 40 to 59 years with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery.


METHODS
Supplementary and dietary vitamin E and C intake (nonrandomized) in association with cholesterol-lowering diet and either colestipol-niacin or placebo (randomized).


RESULTS
Change per subject in the percentage of vessel diameter obstructed because of stenosis (%S) determined by quantitative coronary angiography after 2 years of randomized therapy on all lesions, mild/moderate lesions (< 50%S), and severe lesions (> or = 50%S).


RESULTS
Overall, subjects with supplementary vitamin E intake of 100 IU per day or greater demonstrated less coronary artery lesion progression than did subjects with supplementary vitamin E intake less than 100 IU per day for all lesions (P = .04) and for mild/moderate lesions (P = .01). Within the drug group, benefit of supplementary vitamin E intake was found for all lesions (P = .02) and mild/moderate lesions (P = .01). Within the placebo group, benefit of supplementary vitamin E intake was not found. No benefit was found for use of supplementary vitamin C exclusively or in conjunction with supplementary vitamin E, use of multivitamins, or increased dietary intake of vitamin E or vitamin C.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate an association between supplementary vitamin E intake and angiographically demonstrated reduction in coronary artery lesion progression. Verification from carefully designed, randomized, serial arterial imaging end point trials is needed.
Hodis
H N
HN
Atherosclerosis Research Unit, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Mack
W J
WJ
LaBree
L
L
Cashin-Hemphill
L
L
Sevanian
A
A
Johnson
R
R
Azen
S P
SP
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003084:Colestipol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D003084:Colestipol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid