title: Comparative effects of enzogenol and vitamin C supplementation versus vitamin C alone on endothelial function and biochemical markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic smokers.
abstract: Chronic smoking is associated with endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, with oxidative stress contributing to both these processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of combined antioxidant treatment with Enzogenol, a flavonoid extract from the bark of Pinus radiata and vitamin C, over and above vitamin C alone, on endothelial function, plasma markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, blood pressure (BP) and anthropometrics. Forty-four chronic smokers without established cardiovascular disease were assigned randomly to receive either 480 mg Enzogenol and 60 mg vitamin C, or 60 mg vitamin C alone daily for 12 weeks. Endothelial function in the brachial artery was assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). FMD improved in both treatment groups (p < 0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.84). In the group receiving Enzogenol and vitamin C, protein carbonyl levels were significantly reduced compared to the group taking vitamin C alone (p = 0.03). Enzogenol and vitamin C resulted in a significant reduction in fibrinogen levels in heavy smokers compared with vitamin C alone (p < 0.009). These findings demonstrated that co-supplementation with Enzogenol and vitamin C in smokers conferred no additional beneficial effect on macrovascular endothelial function over and above that seen in the vitamin C alone group. However, Enzogenol did demonstrate additional favourable effects on protein oxidative damage and fibrinogen levels.
authors.affiliation: Lipid and Diabetes Research Group, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand. joanna.young@cdhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Joanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Brett I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Shand
authors.forename: Patrice M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: Russell S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Frampton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012907:Smoking / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D001205:Ascorbic Acid