Lower antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) and trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and Se) status in patients with cerebrovascular disease

The management of antioxidant micronutrient status in patients with chronic diseases may be an important step in controlling disease progression and preventing deterioration in patient quality of life. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant micronutrient status and lipid profiles of cerebrovascular disease (CbVD) patients and to compare this information with an evaluation of normal healthy subjects. A total of 57 male subjects (26 patients with CbVD and 31 healthy subjects) and 65 female subjects (32 patients with CbVD and 33 healthy subjects) were included in this cross-sectional study. Plasma lipid profiles, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), fasting plasma concentration of antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E) and trace minerals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Se) were measured. Compared to healthy subjects, male but not female CbVD patients showed a lower energy intake (p < 0.01) which was largely due to a lower intake of dietary carbohydrate. They also consumed a diet containing a higher level of vitamins A and C. Plasma vitamin C (p < 0.01, in women) and vitamin E (p < 0.05, both in men and women) concentrations were prominently lower in the patients compared to healthy subjects. Plasma levels of the two antioxidant minerals Zn and Se were found to be markedly lower in the patients with CbVD, both in men and women (p < 0.05). Despite consuming less energy and food with a higher vitamin A and C level than healthy subjects, antioxidant micronutrient status, lipid peroxidation levels and the atherogenic index of male CbVD patients suggested that their antioxiclant micronutrient intake was in some respects nutritionally inadequate. A similar conclusion could be made regarding the nutritional inadequacy of female CbVD patient diets. Expert dietary advice and intervention should be given to CbVD patients in order to optirnize rnicronutrient intake and status.