COMBINATION ANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENT INCREASES RESISTANCE OF LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN TO OXIDATION AND IMPROVES LIPOPROTEIN PROFILE OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC MEN

Aim. To assess the effect of supplementation of the diet with a multiv itamin and mineral preparation, containing anti-oxidant nutrients, on resistance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidation as well as on lipoprotein metabolism.Study design. A randomised placebo-controlled single-blind clinical trial was run at a lipid clinic. Subjects, Fifty hypercholesterolaemic non-smoking men, aged 25-60 years. Results of t he lipoprotein profile were available for 23 pairs of subjects, and re sistance to LDL oxidation was measured as lag time in 22 subjects. Met hods. Multivitamin and mineral tablets containing, infer alia, 300 mg ascorbic acid, 8.85 mg beta-carotene, 87 IU vitamin E, 90 mu g seleniu m or placebo were taken daily by the subjects for 6 months. The resist ance of LDL to oxidation was measured after induction of oxidation wit h copper sulphate. Lipoproteins and apolipoproteins were measured at b aseline and after 3 and 6 months. Results. The plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration increased significantly from baseline after 3 and 6 mon ths (P < 0.001), while the plasma retinol concentration increased by 8 % (not significant, P = 0.0873). No significant change in lag time was found in the placebo group after 6 months, but the lag time of the su pplement group increased significantly by 10.6% (P = 0.0024) after 6 m onths of supplementation. Mean concentrations of serum lipoproteins di d not change significantly in either group. High-density lipoprotein ( HDL) cholesterol as a percentage of total cholesterol (TC) and the apo lipoprotein A-1 concentration of the experimental group increased sign ificantly from baseline. Conclusion. These findings show that increase d resistance of LDL to oxidation, as well as increased plasma HDL-chot esterol/TC%; can be attained by supplementation with a moderate-dose c ombination of vitamins and minerals containing anti-oxidant nutrients. These changes may lower atherogenic risk, especially in those with su boptimal plasma concentrations of the antioxidant vitamins.