title: [Low concentration of alpha-tocopherol in erythrocytes of atopic dermatitis patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is suggested that the lipophilic antioxidant alpha-tocopherol could be useful in the management of atopic dermatitis (DA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to investigate vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) status in children with DA.
  
  
  METHODS
  25 children with DA and 18 healthy controls were enrolled in this study (age: 1-9 years). The concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in plasma and in erythrocytes were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. t-Student test was used in analysis of results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences between mean plasma alpha-tocopherol content (19.44 +/- 4,61 mmol/l vs 18.74 +/- 3.38 mmol/l; p>0.05) and the ratio of alpha-tocopherol to total cholesterol in plasma (4.46 +/- 0.60 mmol/mmol vs 4.37 +/- 1,09 mmol/mmol; p>0.05) in patients and controls. Mean concentration of alpha-tocopherol in erythrocytes was significantly lower in children with DA (2.14 +/- 0.69 mmol/L) than in the control group (3.17 +/- 0.49 mmol/L, p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In children with DA, the homeostasis of alpha-tocopherol is changed. Decreased erythrocyte levels of the vitamin are probably due to the limited tissue reserve. The role of vitamin E in the pathogenesis and prevention of DA needs further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Pediatrii, Instytut Matki i Dziecka, ul. Kasprzaka 17a, 01-211 Warszawa. khozyasz@alpha.net.pl
authors.forename: Kamil K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Hozyasz
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chełchowska
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laskowska-Klita
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruszkowska
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milanowski
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D024505:Tocopherols