ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to test the effect of a 21-day supplementation of antioxidant nutrients on biochemical indicators of lipid peroxidation, and vitamin levels in alcohol-dependent patients during a program of alcohol rehabilitation. A randomized double-blind trial was performed comparing two groups receiving daily either a combination of micronutrients (vitamin A 5000 IU, vitamin D3 400 IU, vitamin E 15 mg, vitamin B1 IP 5mg, vitamin B2 IP 5mg, nicotinamide IP 45mg, D-panthenol IP 5mg, vitamin B6 IP 2mg, vitamin C IP 75 mg, folic acid 1000mcg, vitamin B12 IP 5mcg, dibasic calcium phosphate IP 70 mg, copper sulphate BP 0.1mg, zinc sulphate monohydrate USP 28.7, potassium iodide IP 0.025 mg, light magnesium oxide IP 0.15 mg) or a non-supplemented group. 160 male alcohol-dependent patients, 25–45 years of age without severe liver disease, hospitalized for a 21-day rehabilitation program were included. Serum malondialdehyde, α-tocopherol, β-carotene and vitamin C were measured in serum, initially and after supplementation. In the non-supplemented group, serum concentrations of malondialdehyde decreased significantly (p<0.05) and vitamin C significantly increased (p<0.001), whereas α-tocopherol and β-carotene concentrations were unaffected. At the end of the hospital stay, serum indicators were significantly improved in the supplemented group as compared to the non-supplemented group for α-tocopherol, β-carotene and serum malondialdehyde (p<0.001). The results indicate that a short-term supplementation with physiological doses of antioxidant vitamins during alcohol rehabilitation clearly improves micronutrient status indicators, and reduces oxidative stress.
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to determine the nitric oxide metabolism measured as circulating nitrate levels in the serum of alcoholic patients. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in the inflammatory process and has been implicated in several autoimmune disorders. This study was carried out prospectively to estimate the levels of nitrate in the serum, as a surrogate marker of NO production, among alcohol-dependent patients. Serum nitrate concentrations as an index of plasma NO levels were assessed in alcohol-dependent patients attending the deaddiction centre of a major hospital. Total sample size comprised 450 males. Age- and sex-matched non-alcoholic control population (n=90) was compared with alcoholics (n=360) of similar socioeconomic status. Serum nitrate concentration was assayed spectrophotometrically. Stable metabolites of nitrates were significantly higher in alcoholics compared with their nonalcoholic controls (p<0.05). The results may support the involvement of oxidative damage due to high NO concentration, and may be linked to its excitotoxicity and cytotoxicity in neurons, glia, and myelin. Generation of NO has been linked to an increased tendency towards tolerance to alcohol.