study of the relation between vitamin E status and the degree of liver disease in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis

ABSTRACT

Vitamin E has an antioxidant protective effect against peroxidation in lipid phase in the membranes of most cells. Previous reports have shown diminished vitamin E in some chronic liver disease. This study aimed to assess vitamin E status in patients with hepatosplenic bilharziasis with different degree of liver dysfunction. Assessment of serum alpha, gamma and delta tochopherol, total serum cholesterol, total serum biltrubtn, serum ALT, serum albumin and prothrombin activity were done in 40 patients with hepatosplenic bilharziasis [15 Child s stage A, 13 Child s stage B and 12 Childs stage C], and in 10 healthy control subjects. Serum alpha, gamma and delta tochopherols decreased significantly [P<0.01] in all patient groups when compared to healthy controls. Also serum alpha tochopherol to cholesterol ratio [which is supposed to be a better reflection of vitamin E status] decreased sign [P< 0.01] in all patient groups when compared to healthy control. Serum vitamin E [alpha] and ratio between alpha-tochopherol to cholesterol was correlated significantly with serum cholesterol, plasma prothrombin time, ALT, albumin, bilirubin and Child score. These results indicate that in patients with hepatosplenic bilharziasis, vitamin E status is reduced as evidenced by reduced serum alpha, gamma and delta tochopherols and reduced serum alpha tochopherol to cholesterol ratio. Both are sign correlated with biochemical and clinical findings of the disease