Plasma ascorbate and vitamin E levels in Hong Kong Chinese.
OBJECTIVE
To describe fasting plasma total- and lipid standardised-vitamin E and ascorbate concentrations in Hong Kong Chinese subjects, and to explore age-, diet- and sex-related differences.


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
Hong Kong.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty randomly selected Chinese subjects.


METHODS
Fasting plasma concentrations of ascorbate, total vitamin E and lipid standardised vitamin E (Vit E(LS), expressed as micromol vitamin E/mmol total cholesterol plus triglycerides) were measured.


RESULTS
Total vitamin E concentrations ranged from 6-53 micromol/l (mean 24; s.d. 8.5), and Vit ELS from 0.85-7.09 micromol/mmol (mean 3.61; s.d. 1.19). Plasma Vit E(LS) concentrations in women were higher (P = 0.02) than in men: mean (median) concentrations 3.82 (3.88) and 3.37 (3.28) micromol/mmol, respectively. Vit ELS concentrations in men decreased with age. Mean (s.d.) plasma ascorbate concentrations in men and women were 49.7 (14.0) and 51.6 (21.6) micromol/l respectively, and did not show the significant age- and sex- differences reportedly found in Western studies.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis that Hong Kong Chinese, with their low risk of CHD, might have high Vit E(LS) levels in fasting plasma is not supported by the results obtained. Moreover, results showed male female differences and, in men, a previously unreported age-related decrease in plasma Vit E(LS) concentration which cannot be accounted for by concomitant differences in dietary intake of vitamin E alone. Results also suggest that the age- and sex- differences in plasma ascorbate seen in Western populations can be avoided by increased vitamin C intake.
Benzie
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IF
Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon.
Janus
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ED
Strain
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JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*
D014280:Triglycerides; D014810:Vitamin E; D002784:Cholesterol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid