Abstract
A controlled, double-blind study of effects of dl-alpha-tocopheryl nicotinate (vitamin E-nicotinate: EN) for relief of symptoms was performed in 94 patients with hypertension and cerebral arteriosclerosis. Eighty-nine cases (44 cases treated with EN and 45 with inactive placebo) had completed this study, and remaining 5 cases were dropped out.Six capsules of EN (600mg) in the treated group and 6 capsules of inactive placebo in the placebo group were given daily for 4 weeks in all cases, and for 6 weeks in 43 cases. The following results were obtained.
1) The general improvement rating was significantly greater in EN group than that in placebo group (p<0.005).
2) For 5 items of subjective symptoms, the improvement rating of EN was relatively higher than that of placebo. The result of statistical analysis of them was as follows; numbness of limbs (p=0.032), dizziness (p=0.054), stiff neck (p<0.10), heavy feeling of head (p<0.10), and insomnia (p=0.025).
3) The general improvement rating increased consistently as related to the time intervals following the treatment in EN group as follows; 73.7% at 2 weeks, 87.2% at 4 weeks, and 95.2% at 6 weeks intervals. On the other hand, that in placebo group was essentially the same at each time interval as follows; 68.6% at 2 weeks, 61.1% at 4 weeks, and 63.6% at 6 weeks intervals, respectively.
4) No untoward side effects from this agent were observed during study, but a few cases experienced mild anorexia, diarrhea or abdominal discomfort.
From the present results, it can be concluded that EN is a safe and effective agent for relieving various symptoms attributed to hypertension and cerebral arteriosclerosis.
