Role of Vitamin A and E in atherosclerosis. Preliminary study in subjects with carotid pathology [Ruolo della vitamina A ed E nell'aterosclerosi. Studio preliminare in soggetti con patologia carotidea]

Background. This study assayed the plasma concentration of vitamins A and E, solely in the province of Siena, in a group of subjects diagnosed with carotid plaque; this concentration was then compared with a control group to evaluate the trend and role of these metabolites in atherosclerosis. Methods. High pressure liquid chromatography was used to assay the plasma concentration of vitamins A and E in 39 subjects with carotid pathology and 84 control subjects. Results. The plasma concentration of the two vitamins in the control group was within the normal range, even if toward the lower end, and vitamin A levels were higher in males compared to females. Vitamin A levels were lower in patients with carotid pathology than in controls, but significant differences were only found in males. On the other hand, no significant changes were observed in vitamin E levels between the sexes in patients with carotid pathology and the results were normal. Conclusions. These data appear to confirm the findings of earlier studies reported in the literature that hypothesise a possible role for the two vitamins in the development and prevention of atherosclerosis. Further research, above all in larger groups, might lead to interesting and more specific conclusions regarding both healthy subjects and those with vascular diseases in the local population.