Effects of vitamin E supplementation on urinary luminescence in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Background: Urinary luminescence is increased in patients with Duchenne mus cular dystrophy, probably due to the higher oxidative stress present in thi s disease. Aim: To asses the effects of vitamin E supplementation on urinar y luminescence in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Patients and m ethods: Eighteen children with muscular dystrophy aged 12.2 years old and n ine control children aged 10 years old, received 400 IU/day of vitamin E du ring one month. Prior to supplementation and twice a week thereafter, spot urine samples were obtained to measure urinary luminescence in a scintillat ion counter. Results: There was a wide variability in urinary luminescence within and between children. Mean values decreased after vitamin E suppleme ntation in six of nine controls and in 12 of 18 children with muscular dyst rophy. Conclusions: Vitamin E supplementation significantly decreases urina ry luminescence in healthy children and in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Therefore, it could be useful for the treatment of this disease.