Stability of antioxidant vitamins in whole human blood during overnight storage at 4°C and frozen storage up to 6 months

Intra-Individual Variation and Reliability of Biomarkers of the Antioxidant Defense System by Considering Dietary and Lifestyle Factors in Premenopausal Women

Epidemiological studies frequently rely on a single biomarker measurement to assess the relationship between antioxidant status and diseases. This bears an inherent risk for misclassification, if the respective biomarker has a high intra-individual variability. The present study investigates the intra-individual variation and reliability of enzymatic and non-enzymatic biomarkers of the antioxidant system in premenopausal women. Forty-four apparently healthy females provided three consecutive fasting blood samples in a four-week rhythm. Analyzed blood biomarkers included Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, vitamin C, bilirubin, uric acid, coenzyme Q10, tocopherols, carotenoids and retinol. Intra- and inter-individual variances for each biomarker were estimated before and after adjusting for relevant influencing factors, such as diet, lifestyle and use of contraceptives. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), index of individuality, reference change value and number of measurements needed to confine attenuation in regression coefficients were calculated. Except for glutathione and TEAC, all biomarkers showed a crude ICC ≥ 0.50 and a high degree of individuality indicating that the reference change value is more appropriate than population-based reference values to scrutinize and classify intra-individual changes. Apart from glutathione and TEAC, between 1 and 9 measurements were necessary to reduce attenuation in regression coefficients to 10%. The results indicate that the majority of the assessed biomarkers have a fair to very good reliability in healthy premenopausal women, except for glutathione and TEAC. To assess the status of the antioxidant system, the use of multiple measurements and biomarkers is recommended.

Vitamin E catabolism in women, as modulated by food and by fat, studied using 2 deuterium-labeled α-tocopherols in a 3-phase, nonrandomized crossover study

BACKGROUND

Human vitamin E (α-tocopherol) catabolism is a mechanism for regulating whole-body α-tocopherol.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the roles of the intestine and liver on α-tocopherol catabolism as affected by fat or fasting, 2 deuterium-labeled (intravenous d6- and oral d3-) forms of α-tocopherol were used.

METHODS

Healthy women received intravenous d6-α-tocopherol and consumed d3-α-tocopherol with a 600-kcal defined liquid meal (DLM; 40% or 0% fat, n = 10) followed by controlled meals; or the 0% fat DLM (n = 7) followed by a 12-h fast (0% fat-fast), then controlled meals ≤72 h. The order of the 3-phase crossover design was not randomized and there was no blinding. Samples were analyzed by LC/MS to determine the α-tocopherol catabolites and α-carboxyethyl hydroxychromanol (α-CEHC) in urine, feces, and plasma that were catabolized from administered oral d3- and intravenous d6-α-tocopherols.

RESULTS

Urinary and plasma d3- and d6-α-CEHC concentrations varied differently with the interventions. Mean ± SEM cumulative urinary d6-α-CEHC derived from the intravenous dose excreted over 72 h during the 40% fat (2.50 ± 0.37 μmol/g creatinine) and 0% fat (2.37 ± 0.37 μmol/g creatinine) interventions were similar, but a ∼50% decrease was observed during the 0% fat-fast (1.05 ± 0.39 μmol/g creatinine) intervention (compared with 0% fat, P = 0.0005). Cumulative urinary d3-α-CEHC excretion was not significantly changed by any intervention. Total urinary and fecal excretion of catabolites accounted for <5% of each of the administered doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Differential catabolism of the intravenous d6-α-tocopherol and oral d3-α-tocopherol doses shows both liver and intestine have roles in α-tocopherol catabolism. During the 40% fat intervention, >90% of urinary d3-α-CEHC excretion was estimated to be liver-derived, whereas during fasting <50% was from the liver with the remainder from the intestine, suggesting that there was increased intestinal α-tocopherol catabolism while d3-α-tocopherol was retained in the intestine in the absence of adequate fat/food for α-tocopherol absorption.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00862433.

Vitamin E absorption and kinetics in healthy women, as modulated by food and by fat, studied using 2 deuterium-labeled α-tocopherols in a 3-phase crossover design

BACKGROUND

Determining the human vitamin E [α-tocopherol (α-T)] requirement is difficult, and novel approaches to assess α-T absorption and trafficking are needed.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that the dual-isotope technique, using 2 deuterium-labeled [intravenous (IV) d6- and oral d3-] α-T, would be effective in determining α-T fractional absorption. Further, defined liquid meal (DLM) fat or fasting would modulate α-T fractional absorption and lipoprotein transport.

METHODS

A 3-phase cr ossover design was used. At 0 h, participants received IV d6-α-T and consumed d3-α-T with a 600-kcal DLM (40% or 0% fat) followed by controlled meals or by the 0% fat DLM, a 12-h fast, and then controlled meals. Blood samples and fecal samples were collected at intervals and analyzed by LC-MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from plasma tracer concentrations and enrichments. Fractional absorption was calculated from d3- to d6-α-T areas under the curve, from a novel mathematical model, and from the balance method (oral d3-α-T minus fecal d3-α-T excreted).

RESULTS

Estimated α-T fractional absorption during the 40% fat intervention was 55% ± 3% (mean ± SEM; n = 10), which was 9% less than during the 0% fat intervention (64% ± 3%, n = 10; P < 0.02). Fasting had no apparent effect (56% ± 3%, n = 7), except it slowed plasma oral d3-α-T appearance. Both balance data and model outcomes confirmed that the DLM fat did not potentiate d3-α-T absorption. During the IV emulsion clearance, HDL rapidly acquired d6-α-T (21 ± 2 nmol/L plasma per minute). During the first 8 h postdosing, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) were preferentially d3-α-T enriched relative to LDL or HDL, showing the TRL precursor role.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitatively, α-T absorption is not limited by fat absence or by fasting. However, α-T leaves the intestine by a process that is prolonged during fasting and potentiated by eating, suggesting that α-T absorption is highly dependent on chylomicron assembly processes. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00862433.

Influence of Vitamin C on Antioxidant Capacity of In Vitro Perfused Porcine Kidneys

Systemic and localized ischemia and reperfusion injury remain clinically relevant issues after organ transplantation and contribute to organ dysfunctions, among which acute kidney injury is one of the most common. An in vitro test-circuit for normothermic perfusion of porcine kidneys after warm ischemia was used to investigate the antioxidant properties of vitamin C during reperfusion. Vitamin C is known to enhance microcirculation, reduce endothelial permeability, prevent apoptosis, and reduce inflammatory reactions. Based on current evidence about the pleiotropic effects of vitamin C, we hypothesize that the antioxidant properties of vitamin C might provide organ-protection and improve the kidney graft function in this model of ischemia and reperfusion.

METHODS

10 porcine kidneys from 5 Landrace pigs were perfused in vitro for 6 h. For each experiment, both kidneys of one animal were perfused simultaneously with a 1:1 mixture of autologous blood and modified Ringer's solution at 38 °C and 75 mmHg continuous perfusion pressure. One kidney was treated with a 500 mg bolus injection of vitamin C into the perfusate, followed by continuous infusion of 60 mg/h vitamin C. In the control test circuit, an equal volume of Ringer's solution was administered as a placebo. Perfusate samples were withdrawn at distinct points in time during 6 h of perfusion for blood gas analyses as well as measurement of serum chemistry, oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity. Hemodynamic parameters and urine excretion were monitored continuously. Histological samples were analyzed to detect tubular- and glomerular-injury.

RESULTS

vitamin C administration to the perfusate significantly reduced oxidative stress (49.8 ± 16.2 vs. 118.6 ± 23.1 mV; p = 0.002) after 6 h perfusion, and increased the antioxidant capacity, leading to red blood cell protection and increased hemoglobin concentrations (5.1 ± 0.2 vs. 3.9 ± 0.6 g/dL; p = 0.02) in contrast to placebo treatment. Kidney function was not different between the groups (creatinine clearance vit C: 2.5 ± 2.1 vs. placebo: 0.5 ± 0.2 mL/min/100 g; p = 0.9). Hypernatremia (187.8 ± 4.7 vs. 176.4 ± 5.7 mmol/L; p = 0.03), and a lower, but not significant decreased fractional sodium excretion (7.9 ± 2 vs. 27.7 ± 15.3%; p = 0.2) were observed in the vitamin C group. Histological analysis did not show differences in tubular- and glomerular injury between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin C treatment increased the antioxidant capacity of in vitro perfused kidney grafts, reduced oxidative stress, preserved red blood cells as oxygen carrier in the perfusate, but did not improve clinically relevant parameters like kidney function or attenuate kidney damage. Nevertheless, due to its antioxidative properties vitamin C might be a beneficial supplement to clinical kidney graft perfusion protocols.