Vitamin E has an anti-oxidative action in the body. Therefore, if it is lacking, peroxidation of the lipid is induced. Serum lipid peroxide impairs cellmembranes, disturbs blood flow and promotes agglutination of platelets, and hence may be involved in occurrence of cerebral apoplexy. Serum levels of vitamin E (E) and lipid peroxide (MDA) were determined in 135 patients with cerebral apoplexy within 2 weeks after the attack, and in 108 control subjects. The following results were obtained.
1) When values of E were compared, it was 1.6±0.5 in controls, 1.0±0.4 in patients with cerebral infarction, and 1.0±0.4mg/dl in patients with cerebral hemorrhage. It was lower in the group with cerebral apoplexy than in the control group (P<0.001).
2) When the average MDA's were compared, it was 10.3±2.1 in controls, 12.6±2.8 in patients with cerebral infarction and 14.7±2.9nmoles/dl in patients with cerebral hemorrhage. It was higher in the group with cerebral apoplexy than in the control group (P<0.001).
3) There were no differences in E values between those who survived and those who did not survive cerebral apoplexy. However, MDA value was higher in those who died than in those who survived (P<0.001).
4) There were no differences in E value between the group with complications such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiac disturbance and the group without them. The MDA value was lowest in the group without complications. It was found to be significantly higher in patients with complications than in patients without them.
5) In the control group, there was a correlation among E value, serum cholesterol, neutral lipid and β-lipoprotein. On the other hand, in the group with cerebral apoplexy, although there was a correlation among E value, cholesterol and β-lipoprotein, no correlation between E value and neutral lipid was found.
6) The E value which was low at the onset of cerebral apoplexy tended to increase with the patient's improvement. Among 57 patients who had been followed up for 4 months, it increased in 42 patients, was unchanged in 5 patients and decreased in 10 patients.
7) On the other hand, the MDA decreased with the patient's improvement in 29 out of the 56 patients, was unchanged in 6 and increased in 21.
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