Research: Upritchard, Sutherland an

Listed in Issue 62

Abstract

Upritchard, Sutherland and Mann, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. examined the effect of supplementation with tomato juice, vitamin E, and vitamin C on LDL oxidation and products of inflammatory activity in type 2 diabetes .

Background

Methodology

57 patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes aged <75 years were treated with placebo for 4 weeks and then randomized to receive tomato juice (500 ml/day), vitamin E (800 U/day), vitamin C (500 mg/day), or continued placebo treatment for 4 weeks. Susceptibility of LDL to oxidation (lag time) and plasma concentrations of lycopene, vitamin E, vitamin C, C-RP, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were measured at the beginning of the study, after the placebo phase, and at the end of the study.

Results

Plasma lycopene levels increased nearly 3-fold, and the lag time in isolated LDL oxidation by copper ions increased by 42% in patients during supplementation with tomato juice. The magnitude of this increase in lag time was comparable with the corresponding increase during supplementation with vitamin E (54%). Plasma C-RP levels decreased significantly (-49%) in patients who received vitamin E. Circulating levels of cell adhesion molecules and plasma glucose did not change significantly during the study.

Conclusion

This study indicates that consumption of commercial tomato juice increases plasma lycopene levels and the intrinsic resistance of LDL to oxidation almost as effectively as supplementation with a high dose of vitamin E, which also decrease s plasma levels of C-RP, a risk factor for myocardial infarction, in patients with diabetes . These findings may be relevant to strategies aimed at reducing risk of myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes .

References

Upritchard JE et al. Effect of supplementation with tomato juice, vitamin E, and vitamin C on LDL oxidation and products of inflammatory activity in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 23(6): 733-8. Jun 2000.

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