The effect of vitamin C & E supplement on the antioxidative status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A double-blind placebo-control pilot study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an obstructive airway disorder. An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants has been proposed in the pathogenesis of COPD. No matter the source of oxidant, such as the inhaled from smoking or generated from leucocytes, it not only makes bronchiolar constriction, fibrosis, and narrowing, but also hurt lung cell wall and decline lung function. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of antioxidant vitamin C&E supplement on the antioxidative status in COPD patients. Forty-two male COPD outpatients were double-blinded, randomly divided into four groups supplement with placebo or vitamin E (400 IU/day) or vitamin C (500 mg/day) or vitamin C+E daily for 13 weeks. The antioxidative status of COPD patients was evaluated. Results showed after supplementation with vitamin C and C+E significantly lowering plasma total cholesterol concentration (p < 0.05). Supplementation with vitamin C results in statistically significantly lowering high density lipoprotein cholesterol and attenuation of plasma isoprostane -the product of lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05). More than these, patients had the trend to reduce antioxidant enzyme activity and plasma malondialdehyde, to prolong the lag-time of LDL oxidation and to increase total radical trapping antioxidant parameter after 13-week supplementation. Therefore, supplement with antioxidant vitamins may play a role in reduce the oxidative stress of COPD patients.