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Health News Archive 486 - Diabetes
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Vitamin E Benefits Diabetics’ Arterial Health

University of Pittsburgh researchers have found high Vitamin E 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, 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.

Source: Journal of Diabetes and its Complications (2006; 20(6):387-94)

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