EFFECTS OF TRACE-ELEMENT AND OR VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON VITAMIN AND MINERAL STATUS, FREE-RADICAL METABOLISM AND IMMUNOLOGICAL MARKERS INELDERLY LONG-TERM HOSPITALIZED SUBJECTS/

A randomized double-blind trial was performed in order to assess the e fficacity of differing combinations of antioxidant nutrients on bioche mical parameters of vitamin and trace element status, immunological pa rameters and free radical metabolism in elderly long term hospitalized subjects. A total of 756 institutionalized elderly subjects were recr uited in 26 nursing homes in different areas of France, Four groups we re constituted, receiving daily, for 1 year either vitamins (beta-caro tene, 6 mg: vitamin C, 120 mg; and vitamin E, 15 mg), trace elements ( zinc, 20 mg and selenium, 100 mu g), trace elements associated with vi tamins, or a placebo, Biochemical indicators of trace elements and vit amin status and free radical parameters were measured before and after 6 months and 1 year of supplementation, Some immunological markers we re investigated initially and after 6 months of supplementation an a s ubsample of 134 subjects. Mean plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol, gamm a-tocopherol, vitamin C, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and copper incr eased significantly after 6 months of supplementation in groups receiv ing vitamins alone or associated with trace elements. Serum selenium c oncentrations were significantly increased at 6 months of supplementat ion, and serum zinc only after one year in the trace element groups, S erum lycopene levels were significantly decreased by trace element sup plementation. A significant increase in Se-glutathione peroxidase (GPx ) levels was observed in groups receiving trace elements alone or asso ciated with vitamins. No effect was noted on superoxide dismutase (SOD ) activity or TBARs production. No effect of supplementation was found for in vitro lymphocyte proliferative responses or most lymphocyte su bsets, except for a significantly lower percentage of CD2 subsets obse rved in groups receiving mineral supplementation either alone or assoc iated with vitamins. A significant difference in CD19 subsets was foun d in groups receiving trace elements. Mean IL-1 production was signifi cantly higher after 6 months of supplementation in the vitamin groups.