Alpha tocopherol supplementation decreases serum C-reactive protein and monocyte interleukin-6 levels in normal volunteers and Type 2 diabetic patients

Type 2 diabetic subjects have an increased propensity to premature atherosc lerosis. Alpha tocopherol (AT), a potent antioxidant, has several anti-athe rogenic effects. There is scanty data on AT supplementation on inflammation in Type 2 diabetic subjects. The aim of the study was to test the effect o f RRR-AT supplementation (1200 IU/d) on plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release from activated monocyte in Type 2 diabetic pa tients with and without macrovascular complications compared to matched con trols. The volunteers comprised Type 2 diabetic subjects with macrovascular disease (DM2-MV, n = 23), Type 2 diabetic subjects without macrovascular c omplications (DM2, n = 24), and matched controls (C, n = 25). Plasma high s ensitive CRP (Hs-CRP) and Monocyte IL-6 were assayed at baseline, following 3 months of supplementation and following a 2 month washout phase. DM2-MV subjects have elevated HsCRP and monocyte IL-6 compared to controls. AT sup plementation significantly lowered levels of C-reactive protein and monocyt e interleukin-6 in all three groups. In conclusion, AT therapy decreases in flammation in diabetic patients and controls and could be an adjunctive the rapy in the prevention of atherosclerosis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.