Alpha tocopherol concentration in serum of critically ill patients.
OBJECTIVE
Alpha tocopherol is the biologically and chemically active form of vitamin E and is the most abundant lipid-soluble antioxidant in humans protecting the cell membranes. Serum concentration of the antioxidant alpha tocopherol was measured in critically ill patients in whom the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species could compromise antioxidant defence mechanisms.


METHODS
Alpha tocopherol concentration in serum was measured spectrofluorometrically in critically ill patients admitted in intensive care unit and age matched healthy adults, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) served as control.


RESULTS
Alpha tocopherol levels were significantly lower in critically ill patients (p < 0.001) as compared to healthy control subjects and those in two other disease groups (DM, CML) in which reactive oxygen species are reported to be increased. Elderly patients and patients who stayed longer than 8 days had lower plasma concentration of vitamin E.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that antioxidant defence could be considerably compromised in these very sick patients and vitamin E supplementation may be beneficial in increasing their antioxidant reserve.
Kharb
S
S
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, India.
Ghalaut
V S
VS
Ghalaut
P S
PS
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E