Alpha-tocopherol distribution in lipoproteins and anti-inflammatory effects differ between CHD-patients and healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the dose-dependent effects of RRR-alpha-tocopherol supplementation in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients and healthy subjects on plasma alpha-tocopherol levels, plasma lipoprotein distribution, LDL oxidation, and inflammatory plasma markers.


METHODS
12 patients with coronary heart disease and 12 healthy subjects were supplemented with increasing dosages of RRR-alpha-tocopherol at 100, 200 and 400 mg/day for a period of 3 weeks per dose. Lipoproteins were separated by FPLC and ultracentrifugation. Alpha-tocopherol was measured by HPLC. Resistance of LDL to oxidation was determined by reading the absorption at 234 nm after CuCl2-induced oxidation. Clinical chemistry and inflammatory markers were measured on automated analysis systems.


RESULTS
Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations at baseline were comparable between CHD-patients and healthy subjects (21.7 +/- 4.7 micromol/L and 25.8 +/- 7.6 micromol/L, respectively). CHD-patients showed a significant increase (59%) of plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations to 34.6 +/- 9.8 micromol/L at a dosage of 100 mg/day RRR-alpha-tocopherol, whereas healthy subjects showed a significant (54%) increase to 39.7 +/- 6.1 micromol/L only with 400 mg/day RRR-alpha-tocopherol. In addition, CHD-patients showed a significantly increased enrichment of alpha-tocopherol in VLDL. Supplementation (200 mg/day) caused a significant decrease of the acute phase plasma proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) (-65%) and fibrinogen (-24%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrate that CHD-patients require lower dosages of alpha-tocopherol supplementation than healthy subjects to exert biological effects on plasma lipoproteins and acute phase response.
Leichtle
Alexander
A
Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Teupser
Daniel
D
Thiery
Joachim
J
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis*
D000975:Antioxidants; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol