DIETARY-INTAKE OF MICRONUTRIENT ANTIOXIDANTS IN RELATION - TO BLOOD-LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS

Objective. To document habitual intakes of micronutrient antioxidants in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in light of studies reportin g subnormal levels of ascorbate and selenium in this patient group. Me thods. Dietary intakes of vitamin C, selenium, alpha-tocopherol, beta- carotene, and sulfur amino acid precursors of gluthathione were assess ed using the 7 day weighed record in 12 patients with SSc and in 12 he althy control subjects. The intakes of the first 4 substances were exa mined in relation to plasma/serum levels, while intakes of sulfur amin o acids were examined in relation to urinary inorganic sulfate. Result s. Antioxidant and sulfur amino acid intakes were similar in patients and controls, although the patients had lower levels of selenium in se rum (median 74 compared to 87 mu g/l in controls; p = 0.014) and of vi tamin C in plasma (median 6.0 compared to 11.1 mg/l in controls; p = 0 .08). Inorganic sulfate concentration in urine was similar in patients and controls. Conclusion. Our results suggest that reduced blood leve ls of the water soluble antioxidants selenium and ascorbic acid in pat ients with SSc are not due to dietary deficiency. Other explanations m ust therefore be sought.