Reduction of C-reactive protein levels through use of a multivitamin.
OBJECTIVE
Elevated C-reactive protein levels are associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We examined whether multivitamins reduce C-reactive protein levels.


METHODS
We performed a post hoc subgroup analysis of a 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients (n = 87; mean age, 53 years) for whom frozen plasma samples were available; who did not have an inflammatory condition at baseline; and who were not hospitalized, taking antibiotics, smoking, or starting statin therapy during the study were included. C-reactive protein and plasma vitamin levels were measured at baseline and 6 months.


RESULTS
At 6 months, C-reactive protein levels were significantly lower in the multivitamin group than in the placebo group (between-group difference = -0.91 mg/L; 95% confidence interval: -1.52 to -0.30; P= 0.005). The reduction in C-reactive protein levels was most evident in patients who had elevated levels (> or =1.0 mg/L) at baseline. Of the six vitamins measured (C, E, B(6), B(12), folate, and beta carotene), only vitamin B(6) (baseline: r = -0.31, P= 0.003; 6 months: r = -0.29, P= 0.006) and vitamin C (baseline: r = -0.25, P= 0.02) were inversely associated with C-reactive protein level.


CONCLUSIONS
In a post hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, multivitamin use was associated with lower C-reactive protein levels. Other similarly formulated multivitamins may yield comparable results.
Church
Timothy S
TS
The Cooper Institute, Dallas, Texas 75230, USA. tchurch@cooperinst.org
Earnest
Conrad P
CP
Wood
Kherrin A
KA
Kampert
James B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014815:Vitamins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein