Supplementation with vitamins C, E, β-carotene and selenium has no effect on anti-oxidant status and immune responses in allergic adults: a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Dunstan, J. A.¹; Breckler, L.¹; Hale, J.¹; Lehmann, H.¹; Franklin, P.¹; Lyons, G.²; Ching, S. Y. L.³; Mori, T. A.⁴; Barden, A.⁴; Prescott, S. L.¹

Source: Clinical & Experimental Allergy, Volume 37, Number 2, February 2007 , pp. 180-187(8)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

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By this author: Dunstan, J. A. ; Breckler, L. ; Hale, J. ; Lehmann, H. ; Franklin, P. ; Lyons, G. ; Ching, S. Y. L. ; Mori, T. A. ; Barden, A. ; Prescott, S. L.

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Abstract:

Summary Background

Anti-oxidants are of growing interest in early treatment and prevention of allergic diseases in early life, but the effects on allergen-specific immune responses need to be documented further before intervention studies in infants are undertaken. The aim of this study in adults was to determine the effects of dietary anti-oxidants on allergen-specific immune responses in sensitized individuals. Methods

In a randomized controlled trial, 54 allergic adults received an anti-oxidant supplement (n=36) comprising β-carotene (9 mg/day), vitamin C (1500 mg/day), vitamin E (130 mg/day), zinc (45 mg/day), selenium (76 μg/day) and garlic (150 mg/day) or a placebo (n=18) for 4 weeks. Anti-oxidant capacity (AC), serum levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene and selenium, peripheral blood responses, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), as a marker of airway inflammation, and plasma F₂ isoprostanes, as a measure of oxidative stress, were measured before and after supplementation. Results

Anti-oxidant supplementation resulted in significant increases in serum levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene and selenium levels, compared with the placebo group (P<0.001). There was no change in serum AC, plasma F₂-isoprostanes, eNO or immune responses following supplementation with anti-oxidants compared with placebo. Conclusion

Supplementation with anti-oxidants resulted in significantly increased levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene and selenium but no change in immune responses, serum AC or plasma F₂-isoprostanes.

Keywords: allergens; allergy; anti-oxidants; cytokines; nitric oxide; Th2 cytokines

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02657.x

Affiliations: 1: School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia, 2: School of Agriculture & Wine, University of Adelaide - Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, SA, Australia, 3: Biochemistry Department, Clinical Pathology, PathWest, Perth, Western Australia, WA and 4: School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia