This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Paolisso, G. Articles by Varricchio, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Paolisso, G. Articles by Varricchio, M. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB CALCIUM COMPOUNDS CALCIUM, ELEMENTAL MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS MAGNESIUM, ELEMENTAL Medline Plus Health Information Diabetes

Chronic Vitamin E Administration Improves Brachial Reactivity and Increases Intracellular Magnesium Concentration in Type II Diabetic Patients

Department of Geriatric Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Second University of Naples, I-80138 Naples, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Giuseppe Paolisso, M.D., Department of Geriatric Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Servizio di Astanteria Medica, Piazza Miraglia 2, I-80138 Naples, Italy. E-mail: gpaoliss{at}tin.it

Vascular disease accounts for the majority of the clinical complications in diabetes mellitus. As an exaggerated oxidative stress degree has been postulated as the link between diabetes mellitus and endothelial function, a possible positive effect of plasma vitamin E (Vit.E) administration on brachial reactivity could be postulated. Our study aims at investigating the possible effect of chronic Vit.E administration on brachial reactivity, oxidative stress indexes, and intracellular magnesium and calcium content in type II diabetic patients free of diabetic complications. Forty adult, type II diabetic patients were enrolled in the study, which was deigned as a double blind, randomized vs. placebo trial. At baseline all patients underwent the following tests: 1) anthropometric and metabolic examinations, 2) evaluation of oxidative stress indexes, 3) intracellular magnesium and calcium measurements, and 4) determination of arterial compliance and distensibility. Then, all patients were randomly assigned to Vit.E treatment at a dose of 600 mg/day (Evion Forte; n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) over 8 weeks. At the end of this treatment period, a complete reevaluation of the patients was made. Vit.E treatment was associated with a significant improvement in the percent change in brachial artery diameter (P < 0.03) and oxidative stress indexes (P < 0.005). In the Vit.E group, the percent change in brachial artery diameter correlated positively with the percent change in oxidative stress indexes (oxidized/reduced glutathione, Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity, thiobarbituric acid reaction products, lipid peroxides) and intracellular cation content (magnesium and calcium). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and wait/hip ratio, all of these correlations remained significant (P < 0.03 for all). Furthermore, adjusting for glycosylated hemoglobin, plasma total cholesterol, and homeostatic model index, brachial artery diameter was still correlated with the percent change in oxidative stress indexes (P < 0.04 for all). Nevertheless, the relationship between the percent change in brachial artery diameter and oxidative stress indexes was no longer significant after adjustment for intracellular Mg and Ca²⁺. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that chronic administration of Vit.E improves brachial artery reactivity in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Such an effect seems mediated by a reduction in oxidative stress and a regulation of intracellular calcium and magnesium contents.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. R. Rizzo, A. M. Abbatecola, M. Barbieri, M. T. Vietri, M. Cioffi, R. Grella, A. Molinari, R. Forsey, J. Powell, and G. Paolisso Evidence for Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Combined Administration of Vitamin E and C in Older Persons with Impaired Fasting Glucose: Impact on Insulin Action J. Am. Coll. Nutr., August 1, 2008; 27(4): 505 - 511. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Stirban, M. Negrean, B. Stratmann, T. Gawlowski, T. Horstmann, C. Gotting, K. Kleesiek, M. Mueller-Roesel, T. Koschinsky, J. Uribarri, et al. Benfotiamine prevents macro- and microvascular endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress following a meal rich in advanced glycation end products in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, September 1, 2006; 29(9): 2064 - 2071. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Farvid, M. Jalali, F. Siassi, and M. Hosseini Comparison of the Effects of Vitamins and/or Mineral Supplementation on Glomerular and Tubular Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Care, October 1, 2005; 28(10): 2458 - 2464. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Manzella, R. Grella, A. M. Abbatecola, and G. Paolisso Repaglinide Administration Improves Brachial Reactivity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Diabetes Care, February 1, 2005; 28(2): 366 - 371. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. Katz, M. A. Evans, W. Chan, H. Nawaz, B. P. Comerford, M. L. Hoxley, V. Y. Njike, and P. M. Sarrel Oats, Antioxidants and Endothelial Function in Overweight, Dyslipidemic Adults J. Am. Coll. Nutr., October 1, 2004; 23(5): 397 - 403. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Farvid, M. Jalali, F. Siassi, N. Saadat, and M. Hosseini The Impact of Vitamins and/or Mineral Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetes J. Am. Coll. Nutr., June 1, 2004; 23(3): 272 - 279. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Beckman, A. B. Goldfine, M. B. Gordon, L. A. Garrett, J. F. Keaney Jr., and M. A. Creager Oral antioxidant therapy improves endothelial function in Type 1 but not Type 2 diabetes mellitus Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, December 1, 2003; 285(6): H2392 - H2398. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G Regensteiner, S. Popylisen, T. A Bauer, J. Lindenfeld, E. Gill, S. Smith, C. K Oliver-Pickett, J. E. Reusch, and J. V Weil Oral L-arginine and vitamins E and C improve endothelial function in women with type 2 diabetes Vascular Medicine, August 1, 2003; 8(3): 169 - 175. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. Colacurci, D. Manzella, F. Fornaro, M. Carbonella, and G. Paolisso Endothelial Function and Menopause: Effects of Raloxifene Administration J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2003; 88(5): 2135 - 2140. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. P. Atshaves, S. M. Storey, A. Petrescu, C. C. Greenberg, O. I. Lyuksyutova, R. Smith III, and F. Schroeder Expression of fatty acid binding proteins inhibits lipid accumulation and alters toxicity in L cell fibroblasts Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, September 1, 2002; 283(3): C688 - C703. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Kalogeropoulou, G. Mortzos, I. Migdalis, C. Velentzas, D.P. Mikhailidis, E. Georgiadis, and P. Cordopatis Carotid Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Potential Role of Endothelin-1, Lipoperoxides, and Prostacyclin Angiology, May 1, 2002; 53(3): 279 - 285. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Paolisso, D. Manzella, M. R. Tagliamonte, M. Barbieri, R. Marfella, G. Zito, M. Bonafè, D. Giugliano, C. Franceschi, and M. Varricchio The BB-Paraoxonase Genotype Is Associated with Impaired Brachial Reactivity after Acute Hypertriglyceridemia in Healthy Subjects J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2001; 86(3): 1078 - 1082. [Abstract] [Full Text]