title: Effect of hydrosoluble vitamin E on erythrocyte membrane lipid composition in patients with advanced cirrhosis: An open-label pilot trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deficiency in vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, participates in abnormal erythrocyte membrane lipids, structural alterations and hemolysis in advanced cirrhosis. Poor absorption of fat-soluble vitamins limits full correction of deficiency with standard formulations in cirrhosis with cholestasis. The aim of the present study was to examine safety and effects of tocofersolan, a water-soluble derivative of vitamin E, on erythrocyte membrane lipids and anemia in patients with biopsy-proven advanced cirrhosis, vitamin E deficiency and hemolysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients (age, 53 ± 10 years; Child class B/C, 8/12), with low plasma vitamin E, chronic anemia and hemolysis, received oral tocofersolan 700 mg/day for 4 weeks. Erythrocyte membrane lipid composition (cholesterol [Chol], phospholipids [Phosph]) was determined by enzymatic assays. Total and conjugated bilirubin, hemoglobin and vitamin E were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abdominal pain occurred in one patient. Five patients received blood transfusions due to severe anemia. After 4 weeks, both Chol and Phosph decreased, but changes were not significant. Both plasma vitamin E (P < 0.05) and hemoglobin (P < 0.05) increased, together with a decrease in total (P < 0.05) and conjugated (P < 0.05) bilirubin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with advanced cirrhosis, low vitamin E plasma levels and chronic anemia with hemolysis, oral tocofersolan was overall well tolerated, but did not affect erythrocyte membrane lipid composition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Restellini
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mahnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matthes
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital La Tour, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kherad
authors.affiliation: Oncology Institute of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moschetta
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spahr
keywords: acanthocytosis; anemia; cirrhosis; erythrocyte membrane; hemolysis; vitamin E