Dietary intake of micronutrient antioxidants in relation to blood levels in patients with systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To document habitual intakes of micronutrient antioxidants in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in light of studies reporting subnormal levels of ascorbate and selenium in this patient group.


METHODS
Dietary intakes of vitamin C, selenium, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and sulfur amino acid precursors of glutathione were assessed using the 7 day weighed record in 12 patients with SSc and in 12 healthy control subjects. The intakes of the first 4 substances were examined in relation to plasma/serum levels, while intakes of sulfur amino acids were examined in relation to urinary inorganic sulfate.


RESULTS
Antioxidant and sulfur amino acid intakes were similar in patients and controls, although the patients had lower levels of selenium (median 74 compared to 87 milligrams in controls; p = 0.014) and of vitamin C in plasma (median 6.0 compared to 11.1 milligrams/l in controls; p = 0.08). Inorganic sulfate concentration in urine was similar in patients and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that reduced blood levels of the water soluble antioxidants selenium and ascorbic acid in patients with SSc are not due to dietary deficiency. Other explanations must therefore be sought.
Herrick
A L
AL
University of Manchester Rheumatic Diseases Centre, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK.
Worthington
H
H
Rieley
F
F
Clarke
D
D
Schofield
D
D
Braganza
J M
JM
Jayson
M I
MI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000652:urine; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013431:Sulfates / Q000652:urine; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene
D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur; D000975:Antioxidants; D018977:Micronutrients; D013431:Sulfates; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D003404:Creatinine; D012643:Selenium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid