[A randomized single-blind trial of the effects of vitamins C and E in familial hypercholesterolemia]. / Ensayo aleatorizado ciego-sencillo sobre los efectos de las vitaminas C y E en la hipercolesterolemia familiar.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of antioxidant vitamin C and E administration on dyslipidemia, plasma fatty acid composition, and biochemical inflammatory markers in children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). PATIENTS: Forty girls and boys with heterozygous FH, aged between 2 and 18 years, and with plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels higher than 160 mg/dl were studied. METHODS: We performed an open longitudinal randomized trial over a 1-year period. All children followed a dietary intervention according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-1 guidelines and were randomized into two groups. One group (n = 21) received therapy with vitamin C (500 mg twice a day) and vitamin E (400 IU per day). A second group (n = 19) did not receive vitamin therapy. RESULTS: In patients receiving antioxidant vitamins, plasma linoleic acid levels (18:2 omega-6) significantly increased and the essential fatty acid deficiency ratio significantly decreased (Mead/arachidonic acid: 20:4 omega-6/20:3 omega-9). No significant differences were observed in plasma lipid profile, adhesion molecules, or reactive C protein. CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidant vitamin therapy in children with heterozygous FH modifies the plasma fatty acid profile. These modifications are independent of the degree of dyslipidemia and may represent an indicator of reduced cardiovascular risk.

Ensayo aleatorizado ciego-sencillo sobre los efectos de las vitaminas C y E en la hipercolesterolemia familiar / A randomized single-blind trial of the effects of vitamins C and E in familial hypercholesterolemia

Introducción El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido evaluar el efecto de la administración de las vitaminas antioxidantes C y E sobre la dislipemia, la composición de los ácidos grasos en plasma y los marcadores bioquímicos de inflamación en niños afectados de hipercolesterolemia familiar (HF) heterozigótica. Pacientes Cuarenta niños de ambos sexos afectados de HF heterozigótica, de edades comprendidas entre 2 y 18 años, y con valores de colesterol de las lipoproteínas de baja densidad (c-LDL) en plasma superiores a 160 mg/dl. Métodos Estudio aleatorizado longitudinal abierto de un año de duración. Todos los niños siguieron una intervención dietaria de acuerdo con las guías National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-1) y fueron aleatorizados en 2 grupos. El primer grupo (n = 21), recibió una terapia con vitamina C (500 mg dos veces al día) y vitamina E (400 U/día). Un segundo grupo (n = 19) no recibió terapia alguna con vitaminas. Resultados Los pacientes que recibieron vitaminas antioxidantes presentaron un aumento significativo en los niveles de ácido linoleico (18:2 ω-6) en plasma y un descenso significativo en el índice de deficiencia de ácidos grasos esenciales (Mead/araquidónico: 20:3 ω-9/20:4 ω-6). No se observaron diferencias significativas en el perfil lipídico en plasma, moléculas de adhesión o proteína C reactiva. Conclusiones La terapia con vitaminas antioxidantes en niños con HF heterozigótica muestra modificaciones del perfil de ácidos grasos que son independientes del grado de dislipemia y podría representar un indicador de disminución de riesgo cardiovascular

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of antioxidant vitamin C and E administration on dyslipidemia, plasma fatty acid composition, and biochemical inflammatory markers in children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Patients Forty girls and boys with heterozygous FH, aged between 2 and 18 years, and with plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels higher than 160 mg/dl were studied. Methods We performed an open longitudinal randomized trial over a 1-year period. All children followed a dietary intervention according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-1 guidelines and were randomized into two groups. One group (n = 21) received therapy with vitamin C (500 mg twice a day) and vitamin E (400 IU per day). A second group (n = 19) did not receive vitamin therapy. Results In patients receiving antioxidant vitamins, plasma linoleic acid levels (18:2 ω-6) significantly increased and the essential fatty acid deficiency ratio significantly decreased (Mead/arachidonic acid: 20:4 ω-6/20:3 ω-9). No significant differences were observed in plasma lipid profile, adhesion molecules, or reactive C protein. Conclusions Antioxidant vitamin therapy in children with heterozygous FH modifies the plasma fatty acid profile. These modifications are independent of the degree of dyslipidemia and may represent an indicator of reduced cardiovascular risk