Vitamin E Benefits Diabetics’ Arterial Health

PITTSBURGH--University of Pittsburgh researchers have found high alpha-tocopherol levels in people with type 1 diabetes correlate with a lower risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), especially among those either suffering from renal disease or those taking vitamin supplements. Published in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications (2006; 20(6):387-94), the study investigated the effects of serum antioxidants and total antioxidant reserve (TAR) on CAD incidence in type 1 diabetes.

Researchers pulled subjects from the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications Study (EDC) cohort, a 10-year prospective study of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. Mean age at baseline was 28, and diabetes duration was 19 years. CAD was identified by physician-diagnosed angina, confirmed MI, stenosis (abnormal artery narrowing) of 50 percent or higher, ischemic electrocardiogram (ECG), or revascularization.

Of the antioxidants measured--alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, retinol, TAR--none showed overall protection against incident CAD. However, scientists noticed a protective effect of alpha-tocopherol against CAD among antioxidant supplement users and those with renal disease. Despite similar alpha-tocopherol concentration, there was no protective effect among nonusers of antioxidant supplements. They concluded high alpha-tocopherol levels among patients with renal disease and those using vitamin supplements were associated with lower CAD risk in type 1 diabetes.

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