ABSTRACT
Several studies have observed decreased levels of lipophilic antioxidants after supplementation with phytosterols and stanols. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of phytosterol supplementation on plasma total antioxidant capacity in patients with metabolic syndrome. In a parallel arm, randomized placebo-controlled design, 108 patients with metabolic syndrome were assigned to consume yogurt beverage which provided 4 g of phytosterols per day or yogurt beverage without phytosterols. The duration of the study was 2 months and the patients in both groups followed their habitual westernized type diet. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and after 2 months, and the total antioxidant capacity of plasma was measured using the ferric reducing antioxidant power of plasma and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays. After 2 months of intervention, plasma total antioxidant capacity did not differ between and within the intervention and the control groups. Phytosterol supplementation does not affect plasma antioxidant status.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/metabolism , Dietary Supplements , Metabolic Syndrome/blood , Phytosterols/pharmacology , Adult , Beverages , Dietary Supplements/adverse effects , Female , Ferric Compounds/metabolism , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Phytosterols/adverse effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , YogurtABSTRACT
A case of severe and irreversible pancytopenia secondary to acute primary cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent woman is described. The patient presented with thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, anemia, and abnormal liver function tests. Treatment with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin was ineffective in reconstituting hemopoiesis. The patient developed severe sepsis and eventually expired.
Subject(s)
Cytomegalovirus Infections/complications , Immunocompetence , Pancytopenia/etiology , Sepsis/etiology , Cytomegalovirus Infections/diagnosis , Cytomegalovirus Infections/drug therapy , Fatal Outcome , Female , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Humans , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Pancytopenia/drug therapy , Prednisolone/therapeutic use , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
A case of severe and irreversible pancytopenia secondary to acute primary cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent woman is described. The patient presented with thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, anemia, and abnormal liver function tests. Treatment with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin was ineffective in reconstituting hemopoiesis. The patient developed severe sepsis and eventually expired.
