Does Vitamin E Improve Hyperlipidemia in Patients with Crdiovascular Disease

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of vitamin E in patients with cardiovascular disease. Fifty-nine patients aged 30-60 yrs with different cardiovascular diseases were participitated in this study. Fifteen healthy subjects were also included in this study as a base line control. Vitamin E in a daily dose of 400 mg was given for all patients for three months. Blood samples were drawn after an overnight fast from patients and control before treatment and at one month interval for three months after treatment for the patients to measure lipid profile and malondialdehyde. At base line lipid profile and malondialdehyde –MDA- levels were significantly higher in the patients than those of the control. With vitamin E the levels of serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein –LDL- and MDA were decreased. These changes were progressive and significant at all the points throughout the study. Serum high density lipoprotein –HDL- level, however showed a gradual decline but significance was only achieved at the end of the treatment. Serum triglyceride levels were not significantly changed after treatment with vitamin E. Our results suggest that vitamin E beside its antioxidant activity also has lipid lowering activity.