Vitamins in human arteriosclerosis with emphasis on vitamin C and vitamin E.
BACKGROUND
This review focuses on the process of arteriosclerosis arising from oxidative stress on lipoproteins and the general failure of randomized human trials using vitamins to retard this process.


METHODS
As well as clinical trials, the paper reviews the mechanisms by which a variety of oxidants act. Antioxidants are discussed, emphasizing interactions of vitamins C and E with transition metals that can lead to prooxidation. There is a focus on interactions between supplemental or co-antioxidants that counterbalance prooxidant effects of one another.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that normal cellular supplementation mechanisms are poorly accessible in the arteriosclerotic plaque leading to a prooxidant environment in which the haphazard introduction of vitamins could potentially be hazardous. Continued investigations into basic and clinical redox interactions of the kind discussed in this review using new measuring techniques may lead to approaches whereby antioxidants can be introduced into tissue in controlled ways for reducing arteriosclerosis.
Abudu
Ntei
N
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville, 40292, Louisville, KY, USA.
Miller
James J
JJ
Attaelmannan
Mohammed
M
Levinson
Stanley S
SS
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid