TY - JOUR
T1 - Supplementation With Vitamins C and E Improves Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Function in Essential Hypertensive Patients
AU - Plantinga, Yvonne
AU - Ghiadoni, Lorenzo
AU - Magagna, Armando
AU - Giannarelli, Chiara
AU - Franzoni, Ferdinando
AU - Taddei, Stefano
AU - Salvetti, Antonio
PY - 2007/4
Y1 - 2007/4
N2 - Background: Essential hypertension is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the effect of short-term combined treatment with the antioxidants vitamins C and E on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and oxidative stress in untreated essential hypertensive patients. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study design was used to assign 30 male essential hypertensive patients to either vitamin C (1 g) and vitamin E (400 IU) or placebo for 8 weeks. Endothelium-dependent response was assessed as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Arterial stiffness was assessed as central pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx). Plasma markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status were measured. Results: After vitamin supplementation, FMD was significantly improved. Central PWV was significantly reduced, while AIx tended to decrease. Plasma vitamin levels and antioxidant capacity increased significantly. Levels of oxidative stress decreased. Changes in central PWV were related to changes in levels of oxidative stress. Conclusions: Combined treatment with vitamins C and E has beneficial effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and arterial stiffness in untreated, essential hypertensive patients. This effect is associated with changes in plasma markers of oxidative stress.
AB - Background: Essential hypertension is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the effect of short-term combined treatment with the antioxidants vitamins C and E on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and oxidative stress in untreated essential hypertensive patients. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study design was used to assign 30 male essential hypertensive patients to either vitamin C (1 g) and vitamin E (400 IU) or placebo for 8 weeks. Endothelium-dependent response was assessed as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Arterial stiffness was assessed as central pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx). Plasma markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status were measured. Results: After vitamin supplementation, FMD was significantly improved. Central PWV was significantly reduced, while AIx tended to decrease. Plasma vitamin levels and antioxidant capacity increased significantly. Levels of oxidative stress decreased. Changes in central PWV were related to changes in levels of oxidative stress. Conclusions: Combined treatment with vitamins C and E has beneficial effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and arterial stiffness in untreated, essential hypertensive patients. This effect is associated with changes in plasma markers of oxidative stress.
KW - Endothelial function
KW - antioxidants
KW - arterial stiffness
KW - essential hypertension
KW - oxidative stress
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33947405296&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.amjhyper.2006.09.021
DO - 10.1016/j.amjhyper.2006.09.021
M3 - Article
C2 - 17386345
AN - SCOPUS:33947405296
SN - 0895-7061
VL - 20
SP - 392
EP - 397
JO - American Journal of Hypertension
JF - American Journal of Hypertension
IS - 4
ER -