Effect of Eicosapentaenoic Acid Supplementation on Paraoxonase 2 Gene Expression in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is recognized as one of the most prevalent metabolic diseases, and it is mostly associated with oxidative stress, atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia. Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) due to its antioxidant properties may play a role in the atherosclerosis development. Although long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, the exact mechanism of action is still unknown. Our goal in this study was to determine the effect of EPA administration on gene expression of PON2 in patients with T2DM. Present study was a randomized, controlled double-blind trial. Thirty-six patients with T2DM were randomly allocated to receive 2 g/day EPA (n = 18) or placebo (n = 18) for 8 weeks. There were no significant differences between 2 groups concerning demographic or biochemical variables, and dietary intakes as well (p > 0.05). However, patients received EPA showed a significant increase in the gene expression of PON2 compared with placebo group (p = 0.027). In addition, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased and fasting blood sugar decreased significantly after EPA supplementation compared with control group. Taken together, supplementation with 2 g/day EPA could be atheroprotective via the upregulation of PON2 in patients with T2DM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03258840

Erythrocyte Membrane Unsaturated (Mono and Poly) Fatty Acids Profile in Newly Diagnosed Basal Cell Carcinoma Patients

Studies have reported different changes in the fatty acid composition of red blood cell (RBC) total lipids in patients with various types of cancer. It has been indicated that n-3/n-6 ratio plays a key role in the general consequence of skin photocarcinogenesis. However, to our knowledge there was no study examining the unsaturated fatty acid profile in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) patients. So, we explore the fatty acid composition of RBCs in newly diagnosed BCC patients in a hospital-based case-control study. This study has been conducted on new case BCC patients in Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Fatty acid concentration in erythrocyte membranes defined as relative values after extraction, purification and preparation, by gas chromatography.Analysis revealed that heptadecenoic acid (p = 0.010) and oleic acid (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in BCC patients in comparison with control group. Among polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic acid (LA), and arachidonic acid (AA) were significantly higher in BCC patients (p < 0.001). It has been indicated that n-3 was significantly lower (p = 0.040) and n-6 was significantly higher (p = 0.002) in BCC patients. In addition, total PUFA (p < 0.001) and n-6 PUFAs/n-3 PUFAs (p = 0.002) were significantly higher in BCC patients compared to the control group. Here we indicated that new case BCC patient had significantly higher n-6 PUFA and lower n-3 along with other differences in unsaturated fatty acid in comparison with healthy subjects. Our study provides evidence that lipids are important in BCC development.

Vitamin D supplementation decreased body weight and body mass index of Iranian type-2 diabetic patients: A randomised clinical trial study

Introduction: Vitamin D as a common deficient micronutrient possibly plays an important role in body weight management. The aim of this study was to assess possible effects of vitamin D supplementation on anthropometric parameters of type-2 diabetic patients. Methods: Participants of this randomised controlled trial were 28 type-2 diabetic patients who received 4000 IU/day vitamin D and 30 patients who received placebo for two months. All patients were selected from the Iranian Diabetes Association (IDA), Tehran, Iran. Weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were determined before and after the intervention. Dietary information was obtained using a 3-day food record. Results: Results showed a significant decrease in bodyweight (from 75.73±3.09 kg to 74.63±3.04 kg, p = 0.002), BMI (from 27.94±0.92 kg/m2 to 27.544±0.90 kg/m2, p = 0.001); waist circumference (from 92.56±2.33 cm to 91.05±2.27 cm, p = 0.004); and hip circumference (from 104.19±1.88 cm to 102.35±1.88 cm, p = 0.029) in the vitamin D group. Food record analysis showed that the percent of total calorie intake from dietary carbohydrates increased (from 50.40±1.38% to 53.14±1.53%, p = 0.023) and from fat, it decreased (from 38.43±1.30% to 35.22±1.49%, p = 0.011) significantly in the vitamin D group at the end of the intervention. Conclusion: Supplementation with vitamin D seems to include beneficial effects on bodyweight management in type-2 diabetic patients. However, the percentage of total calorie intake from each macronutrient should be

Beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acids on cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a clinical trial

Objective: Jo determine the effect of supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on circulatory resis-tin and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1] levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] patients

Subjects and Methods: This was a 10-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of n-3 PUFAs [2,700 mg/day] versus placebo [soft gels containing 900 mg of edible paraffin]. Forty-four T2DM patients were supplemented with n-3 PUFAs and another 44 patients received placebo (3 patients discontinued the trial]. Serum resistin, MCP-1, and the lipid profile were measured before and after supplementation. The adi-ponectin-resistin index [1 + Iog[10] [resistin] - Iog10 [adiponec-tin]] and atherogenic index [Iog[10] triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol] of plasma [an indicator of cardiovascular complications] were assessed. The independent Student t test was used to assess the differences between the supplement and placebo groups and the paired f test to analyze the before/after changes

Results: In this study, n-3 PUFAs reduced serum MCP-1 levels [from 260.5 to 230.5 pg/ ml_;p = 0.002], but they remained unchanged in the placebo group, n-3 PUFAs could not decrease serum resistin levels. The adiponectin-resistin index was significantly reduced after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs when compared to theplacebo. The atherogenic index was also significantly improved after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs [from 1.459 to 1.412; p = 0.006]

Conclusions: The MCP-1 levels and lipid profile were improved after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs, but resistin serum levels were not changed. Hence, the anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 PUFAs might be mediated by targeting MCP-1

Effects of vitamin A, C and E, or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the level of paraoxonase and arylesterase activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: an investigation of activities in plasma, and heart and liver homogenates

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study was designed and conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin A, C and E supplementation, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the activity of paraoxonase and arylesterase in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 64 male Sprague Dawley® rats, each weighing 250 g, were randomly distributed into four groups: (a) normal control; (b) diabetic control; (c) diabetic with vitamin A, C and E supplementation; and (d) diabetic with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The animals were anaesthetised after four weeks of intervention, and paraoxonase and arylesterase activity in blood plasma, and liver and heart homogenates were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Arylesterase activity in the heart and liver homogenates was significantly lower in the diabetic control group than in the normal control group (p < 0.01). Vitamin A, C and E supplementation, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly increased liver arylesterase activity (p < 0.05). No significant change was observed in paraoxonase activity and other investigated factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vitamin A, C and E, or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation were found to increase liver arylesterase activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. These supplements may be potential agents for the treatment of diabetes mellitus complications.</p>

APO A2 -265T/C Polymorphism Is Associated with Increased Inflammatory Responses in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein A2 (APO A2) is the second most abundant structural apolipoprotein in high density lipoprotein. Several studies have examined the possible effect of APO A2 on atherosclerosis incidence. Due to the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis, we aimed to determine the relationship between APO A2 -265T/C polymorphism and inflammation as a risk factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. METHODS: In total, 180 T2DM patients, with known APO A2 -265T/C polymorphism, were recruited for this comparative study and were grouped equally based on their genotypes. Dietary intakes, anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers (i.e., pentraxin 3 [PTX3], high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], and interleukin 18) were measured. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test, a chi-square test, and the analysis of covariance. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors, in the entire study population and in the patients with or without obesity, the patients with the CC genotype showed higher hs-CRP (P=0.001, P=0.008, and P=0.01, respectively) and lower PTX3 (P=0.01, P=0.03, and P=0.04, respectively) in comparison with the T allele carriers. In the patients with the CC genotype, no significant differences were observed in the inflammatory markers between the obese or non-obese patients. However, regarding the T allele carriers, the plasma hs-CRP level was significantly higher in the obese patients compared to the non-obese patients (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: In the T2DM patients, the CC genotype could be considered as a risk factor and the T allele as a protective agent against inflammation, which the latter effect might be impaired by obesity. Our results confirmed the anti-atherogenic effect of APO A2, though more studies are required to establish this effect.

Evaluation of vitamin D status in newly diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris patients

Pemphigus vulgaris [PV] is an autoimmune blistering disorder of the skin or mucosa. Since low vitamin D status has been linked to many immune disorders, we designed this study to compare the vitamin D status in PV patients with healthy controls. In this case-control study, vitamin D status of 32 newly diagnosed PV patients was compared with 36 healthy control subjects. All patients were selected from the specialized dermatology departments of Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in a 2-year period [2009-2010]. The severity of the disease was estimated according to Harman's scores. Serum concentration of 25[OH]D was measured by Roche Elecsys System. Data were analyzed by independent t-test. Both groups were similar based on sex, age and body mass index. The mean duration of disease was 5.57 +/- 0.93 months. The mean oral and skin severities were 1.81 +/- 0.20 and 2.31 +/- 0.17 respectively, based on Harman's scores. Serum 25[OH]D was significantly lower in PV patients compared to controls [-8.90; 95% CI, 2.29-15.51 and P = 0.009]. There was a negative correlation between vitamin D level and the oral severity of disease [r = -0.39 and P = 0.02]. PV patients had significantly lower serum level of 25[OH]D compared to healthy subjects which might contribute to worsen the disease. These data indicate the importance of improving vitamin D level in pemphigus patients

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid, vitamin E, alone or combined on immunity and inflammatory parameters in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Little information about the effects of conjugated linoleic acids [CLAs] on inflammation and immune function in humans is available. This study investigated the effects of CLAs, with and without Vitamin E on immunity and inflammatory parameters in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. In a double-blind clinical trial, 78 patients were randomly divided into four groups, each group receiving one of the following daily supplement for 3 months; group C: 2.5 g CLAs, group E: 400 mg Vitamin E, group CE: CLAs plus Vitamin E, group P: Placebo. Cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase 3 [MMP-3] and citrullinated antibody [CCP-A] were measured by ELISA method and Vitamin E by high-performance liquid chromatography. Consider statistical methods there were no significant differences between groups in cytokines interleukin-2 [IL-2], IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-alpha[TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2/IL-4, CCP-A white blood cells and neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocytes, and eosinophils numbers. TNF-alpha decreased in all groups, but its reduction was significant in group CE. IL-1beta increased in groups P [P = 0.004] and E [P = 0.041] but the difference between group P and CE was significant. IL-4 decreased in groups C, CE and E [P = 0.03, P =0.03P = 0.07 respectively]. IL2 did not change significantly within groups. CCP-A increased in groups P [P = 0.035] and E [P = 0.05], while it decreased in groups CE [P = 0.034]. CCP-A and MMP-3 decrease were significant between groups P and CE. MMP-3 reduction was significant in group CE. Co-supplementation CLAs and Vitamin E may be effective in the level of inflammatory markers in RA patients

Brewer's yeast improves glycemic indices in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Brewer's yeast may have beneficial effects on insulin receptors because of its glucose tolerance factor in diabetic patients. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of brewer's yeast supplementation on glycemic indices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In a randomized double blind controlled clinical trial, 84 adults [21 men and 63 women] aged 46.3 +/- 6.1 years old with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited and divided randomly into two groups: Supplement group receiving brewer's yeast [six 300mg tablets/day, total 1800 mg] and control group receiving placebo [six 300mg tablets/day] for 12 weeks. Body weight, height, body mass index, food consumption [based on 24h food record], fasting blood sugar [FBS], glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin sensitivity, and insulin resistance were measured before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences [version 18.0]. The changes in FBS, glycosylated hemoglobin, and insulin sensitivity were significantly different between the two groups during the study [respectively P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.02 independent sample t-test]. There was a significant difference in FBS, glycosylated hemoglobin, and insulin sensitivity at the end of the study between the two groups after removing the effects of baseline values [respectively P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.02, analysis of covariance]. Changes in body mass index, 24h food record, insulin resistance were not significant. Dietary supplementation with brewer's yeast besides the usual treatment of diabetes can ameliorate blood glucose variables in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Brewer's yeast improves blood pressure in type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Brewer's yeast supplementation on serum lipoproteins and blood pressure in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 90 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited, and divided randomly into 2 groups, trial group received brewer's yeast [1800 mg/day] and control group received placebo for 12 weeks. Weight, BMI, food consumption [based on 24 hour food recall], fasting serum lipoproteins [Cholesterol, Triglyceride, LDL-c, HDL-c], systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured before and after the intervention. Data analyses were performed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences ver. 18.0, and the statistical tests included Independent t-test, Paired t-test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and analysis of covariance. This trial was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials [IRCT], No.IRCT138807062513N1. Eighty-four subjects [21 men and 63 women] aged 46.3 +/- 6.1 years completed the study. After 12 weeks supplementation, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were decreased in the group receiving brewer's yeast [4.1 +/- 1.5, P = 0.007 and 5.7 +/- 0.6, P = 0.001 respectively]. No-significant changes in LDL-c, HDL-c, Triglyceride and Cholesterol were shown. Supplementation with Brewer's yeast besides the usual treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressures in diabetic patients

Eicosapentaenoic acid improves insulin sensitivity and blood sugar in overweight type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a double-blind randomised clinical trial

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder in humans, and its incidence is increasing rapidly worldwide. Although polyunsaturated fatty acids have beneficial effects on diabetes mellitus, previous data regarding the possible positive effects of n-3 fatty acids on glycaemic indices were inconclusive. We conducted a double-blind randomised clinical trial to determine the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, on overweight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial was conducted on a total of 67 overweight patients with T2DM for a duration of three months. Of these 67 patients, 32 received 2 g purified EPA daily, while 35 received a placebo of 2 g corn oil daily. The patients' fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum insulin, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin sensitivity indices were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After three months of EPA supplementation, the group that received EPA showed significant decreases in FPG (p < 0.001), HbA1c (p = 0.01) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.032), when compared to the placebo group. EPA supplementation resulted in decreased serum insulin levels, with the levels between the EPA and placebo groups showing a significant difference (p = 0.004).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results of our study indicate that EPA supplementation could improve insulin sensitivity. It was able to decrease serum insulin, FPG, HbA1c and HOMA-IR. EPA could have beneficial effects on glycaemic indices in patients with T2DM.</p>

Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein and interleukin-2 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can alter the inflammatory response in diabetic patients. This study aimed to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 subjects aged 45-85 years with at least a two-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Participants were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. Each subject in the treatment group received three omega-3 capsules per day (eicosapentaenoic acid 1,548 mg; docosahexaenoic acid 828 mg; other omega-3 fatty acids 338 mg), while each subject in the control group received three placebo capsules (sunflower oil 2,100 mg) for a period of eight weeks. At the beginning of the study and post intervention, fasting blood samples were taken and serum concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and CRP were assessed and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the controls (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in serum CRP levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (3 g/day for eight weeks) can decrease the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-2 in diabetic patients, with no change in CRP levels. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements is highly recommended to alleviate inflammation caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p>

Effects of carnitine and coenzyme Q10 on lipid profile and serum levels of lipoprotein[a] in maintenance hemodialysis patients on statin therapy

Dyslipidemia and high serum lipoprotein[a] are among the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in hemodialysis patients. Statins as a first line of therapy in hyperlipidemia does not always reduce the serum lipoprotein[a] level. Several studies have reported the lipid-lowering effects of carnitine and coenzyme Q10 in hemodialysis patients. This study was designed to investigate the effects of carnitine and coenzyme Q10 on serum lipid profile and lipoprotein[a] level in maintenance hemodialysis patients. This was a randomized placebo-controlled trial. We studied on hemodialysis patients who were on treatment with atorvastatin or lovastatin to assess the efficacy of supplement therapy. They were divided into 4 groups to receive carnitine, coenzyme Q10, both carnitine and coenzyme Q10, and placebo. After a 3-month experiment, blood samples were collected to measure serum levels of lipoprotein[a], triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Fifty-two hemodialysis patients, 27 men and 25 women, completed the course of the study. Three months after supplement therapy, serum levels of lipoprotein[a] reduced significantly in the carnitine, coenzyme Q10, and combination groups compared to the baseline values and the 3-month value of lipoprotein[a] in the placebo group [P = .01]. Serum levels of triglyceride and other lipoproteins did not significantly alter. Our study showed that supplementation with carnitine and coenzyme Q10 could reduce serum levels of lipoprotein[a] in maintenance hemodialysis patients treated with statins

Urine concentration of nuclear matrix protein 22 for diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of bladder

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of urine nuclear matrix protein 22 [NMP22] level in detection of transitional cell carcinoma [TCC] of the bladder. A total of 76 patients with newly-diagnosed or recurrent TCC and 75 controls without urinary tract disorders participated in this study. A urine sample was obtained for measurement of the NMP22 level using the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. The resulted values were evaluated in comparison with the results of pathologic examination. A total of 76 patients with TCC of the bladder and 75 volunteers without TCC were enrolled in the study. The mean level of urine NMP22 had an increasing trend associated with tumor grade [P = .01] and tumor stage [P < .001]. In participant without TCC, the mean urinary NMP22 level was 5.48 +/- 6.34 U/mL, while this value was 25.01 +/- 35.33 U/mL in patients with TCC of the bladder [P < .001]. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of urine NMP22 for detection of TCC were 75.5%, 86.7%, 85.1%, 77.4%, and 80.8%, respectively. The sensitivity of NMP22 in detecting stage Ta tumors appeared to be low [31.3%], but for grade 1 tumors, the sensitivity was 66.7%. Measurement of urine NMP22 is a noninvasive, highly sensitive, and specific method for detecting TCC of the bladder and estimating its grade and stage. Further studies can be helpful to determine whether it can be used in clinical practice

Assessment of oxidative stress markers related to atherosclerosis in pre-hypertensive women

Lipid peroxidation is a free radical-generating process which occurs on every membranous structure of the cell. Free radicals are known to be involved in a number of human pathologies including atherosclerosis. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between pre-hypertension status and oxidative stress markers [total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and malonedialdehyde [MDA] levels] in a random sample of cardiovascular disease-free women. In this study, 160 women of 20-45 years of age were randomly selected.General information data were gathered from each sample using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Blood pressure [BP] was measured for each subject. Body weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences were measured and body mass index [BMI] and waist-to-hip ratio [WHR] were calculated for each subject. Venous blood samples were drawn from the subjects, and plasma was separated. In this study, the oxidative stress status was assessed by measuring the concentrations of plasma MDA and TAC levels. Our results show that both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were inversely correlated with TAC [p<0.01] and positively correlated with MDA levels [p<0.01]. Particularly, compared to the normotensive subjects, the pre-hypertensives had19% lower TAC [p<0.05] and 22% higher MDA levels [p<0.01], after correcting for multiple comparisons and adjusting for age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and other potential confounders. Our findings revealed an association between pre-hypertension and oxidative stress markers linked to atherosclerosis process. Thus, the identification of the underlying molecular mechanisms in pre-hypertension, which seem to include oxidative stress, may serve as an important lead for developing potentially new treatment modalities in this group of patients at risk for future cardiovascular complications

Plasma iron is associated with lipid peroxidation in women

It has been suggested that the risk of coronary heart disease increases with increase of body iron stores. Free iron catalyzes the generation of free radicals and free radicals promote the oxidation of lipids. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association of plasma iron and factors that could affect its levels [antioxidant enzymes], with the concentration of plasma malondialdehyde [MDA] as a marker of lipid peroxidation. In this study, 160 women aged 20-45 years were randomly selected. A medical history was obtained for each subject prior to enrolment. We assessed lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidant enzymes by measuring the concentration of plasma MDA and the activities of erythrocyte copper zinc superoxide dismutase [CuZn-SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPX]. Our results show that those in the highest tertile of plasma iron were at least twice as likely to have higher plasma MDA levels. Among the factors affecting plasma iron levels, we found that the upper tertile of erythrocyte CuZn-SOD was inversely associated with higher plasma iron. No associations were found between the highest TIBC and MDA levels. There was no significant association between GPX and plasma iron. These findings support the concept that iron, as an important transition metal, might contribute to atherogenesis, along with the classic risk factors. A longitudinal study should confirm whether or not these MDA levels are connected to vascular disease and mortality

Vitamin C status in allergic children

This study was undertaken to assess vitamin C status in allergic children. Twenty-six allergic patients and 46 apparently healthy controls aged 7-16 years of both sexes were introduced. All patients were diagnosed being allergic based on their histories, physical examinations and laboratory findings. Blood samples were obtained between 09.00-11.00 to determine total serum immunoglobulin E, histamine, plasma vitamin C and complete blood cell count. Stool examinations and urinealysis were also done. Although total serum immunoglobulin E levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls, the serum histamine and plasma vitamin C levels showed no significant difference between the two groups. Surprisingly, patients with allergic dermatitis and food allergy had significantly lower plasma vitamin C levels than patients with asthma and rhinitis. Also, female patients tended to have higher plasma vitamin C but lower total serum immunoglobulin E levels compared to the male patients but none of these differences were significant. Healthy boys, on the other hand, had significantly higher plasma vitamin C than healthy girls. Our findings did not confirm the previous reports which showed decreased plasma vitamin C levels in allergic patients. We concluded that the plasma vitamin C levels in different allergies might be infuenced by such factors, such as sex, type and the stage of allergic disease, besides those affecting intake