Effect of a nutritional supplement containing vitamin E, selenium, vitamin c and coenzyme Q10 on serum PSA in patients with hormonally untreated carcinoma of the prostate: a randomised placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of a nutritional supplement containing vitamin E, selenium, vitamin C and coenzyme Q10 on changes in serum levels of PSA in patients with hormonally untreated carcinoma of the prostate and rising serum PSA levels.


METHODS
Eighty patients were randomised to receive a daily supplement with either vitamin E, selenium, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 (intervention group) or placebo over 21 weeks. Serum levels of PSA were assessed at baseline (-2, -1, 0 weeks) and after 6, 13, 19, 20 and 21 weeks. Mean changes in log serum level of PSA, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, luteinizing hormone and sex hormone binding globulin over 21 weeks between the verum and the placebo group were compared by analysis of covariance.


RESULTS
Seventy patients completed the study (36 verum; 34 placebo). Compliance was >90% in all patients. In the intervention group, plasma levels of vitamin E, selenium and coenzyme Q10 increased significantly over the 21 weeks study period. No significant differences in serum levels of PSA, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, luteinizing hormone or sex hormone binding globulin (p>0.2) were observed between the intervention and control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that supplementation of a combination of vitamin E, selenium, vitamin C and coenzyme-Q10 does not affect serum level of PSA or hormone levels in patients with hormonally untreated carcinoma of the prostate.
Hoenjet
K M J L F
KM
Department of Urology, University Hospital of Maastricht, P. Debeyelaan 25, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Dagnelie
P C
PC
Delaere
K P J
KP
Wijckmans
N E G
NE
Zambon
J V
JV
Oosterhof
G O N
GO
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003067:Coenzymes; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006728:Hormones; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012643:Selenium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003067:Coenzymes; D006728:Hormones; D014451:Ubiquinone; D014810:Vitamin E; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; C024989:coenzyme Q10; D012643:Selenium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid