Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 16, Issue 4 357-365, Copyright © 1997 by American College of Nutrition

CLINICAL TRIAL

Effect of a two-year supplementation with low doses of antioxidant vitamins and/or minerals in elderly subjects on levels of nutrients and antioxidant defense parameters

F. Girodon, D. Blache, A. L. Monget, M. Lombart, P. Brunet-Lecompte, J. Arnaud, M. J. Richard and P. Galan
Laboratoire de Biochimie des Lipoproteines, Universite de Bourgogne, Digon, France.

BACKGROUND: Eighty-one elderly hospitalized subjects (> 65 years) were recruited for a double-blind placebo-controlled study to examine low dose supplementation of antioxidant vitamins and minerals on biological and functional parameters of free radical metabolism. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups, daily receiving for 2 years: placebo group; mineral group: 20 mg zinc, 100 micrograms selenium; vitamin group: 120 mg vitamin C (Vit C), 6 mg beta-carotene (beta CA), 15 mg vitamin E (Vit E); mineral and vitamin group: Zn 20 mg, Se 100 micrograms, Vit C 120 mg, beta CA 6 mg, Vit E 15 mg. RESULTS: Fifty-seven subjects completed the study. A large frequency of Vit C, Zn and Se deficiencies were observed at baseline. As early as 6 months of treatment, a significant increase in vitamin and mineral serum levels was observed in the corresponding groups. The increases ranged from 1.1-4.0 fold depending on the nutrient. Antioxidant defense, studied in vitro with a test using red blood cells in presence of 2,2'-azo-bis (2-amidinopropane) by hydrochloride, showed an increase of cell resistance in patients receiving vitamins (p = 0.002); it was positively correlated with serum Vit C (p < 0.0001), alpha-tocopherol/cholesterol (p = 0.06), beta CA (p = 0.0014), serum Cu and Se (p < 0.05). Moreover, red blood cell antioxidant defense was reduced in elderly compared with young control subjects (50% hemolysis time: 69 +/- 14 mn and 109 +/- 12 mn, respectively). Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity was enhanced in groups receiving minerals, whereas no significant change was observed for other indicators of oxidative stress (erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, total glutathione, reduced and oxidized forms). DISCUSSION: Our results provide experimental evidence that a low dose supplementation with vitamins and minerals was able to normalize biological nutrient status as early as 6 months of treatment. In addition, our data indicate that antioxidant defense in elderly subjects was improved with low doses of vit C, vit E and beta CA as studied by means of a functional test utilizing red blood cells challenged in vitro with free radicals.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Andriollo-Sanchez, I. Hininger-Favier, N. Meunier, E. Venneria, J. M. O'Connor, G. Maiani, A. Polito, S. Bord, M. Ferry, C. Coudray, et al. No Antioxidant Beneficial Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Markers and Antioxidant Defenses in Middle-Aged and Elderly Subjects: The Zenith Study J. Am. Coll. Nutr., August 1, 2008; 27(4): 463 - 469. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A Shenkin Micronutrients in health and disease. Postgrad. Med. J., September 1, 2006; 82(971): 559 - 567. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Hughes and S. Samman The effect of zinc supplementation in humans on plasma lipids, antioxidant status and thrombogenesis. J. Am. Coll. Nutr., August 1, 2006; 25(4): 285 - 291. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Bourdon, N. Loreau, J. Davignon, L. Bernier, and D. Blache Involvement of Oxysterols and Lysophosphatidylcholine in the Oxidized LDL-Induced Impairment of Serum Albumin Synthesis by HEPG2 Cells Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., December 1, 2000; 20(12): 2643 - 2650. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. McKay, G. Perrone, H. Rasmussen, G. Dallal, and J. B. Blumberg Multivitamin/Mineral Supplementation Improves Plasma B-Vitamin Status and Homocysteine Concentration in Healthy Older Adults Consuming a Folate-Fortified Diet J. Nutr., December 1, 2000; 130(12): 3090 - 3096. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. McKay, G. Perrone, H. Rasmussen, G. Dallal, W. Hartman, G. Cao, R. L. Prior, R. Roubenoff, and J. B. Blumberg The Effects of a Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement on Micronutrient Status, Antioxidant Capacity and Cytokine Production in Healthy Older Adults Consuming a Fortified Diet J. Am. Coll. Nutr., October 1, 2000; 19(5): 613 - 621. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. BOURDON, N. LOREAU, and D. BLACHE Glucose and free radicals impair the antioxidant properties of serum albumin FASEB J, February 1, 1999; 13(2): 233 - 244. [Abstract] [Full Text]