beta-carotene and Graves-Ophthalmopathy

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) and several antioxidant agents, namely, selenium, quercetin, enalapril, vitamin C, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and melatonin, have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and its consequences in primary culture of orbital fibroblasts. In addition, selenium is effective for the treatment of mild GO. Here, we investigated the action of three additional antioxidants in orbital fibroblasts, namely, retinol, β-carotene, and vitamin E.. Primary cultures of orbital fibroblasts were established from GO patients and control subjects. To induce oxidative stress, cells were treated with H. H. Our study supports an antioxidant role of retinol, β-carotene, and vitamin E in orbital fibroblasts from patients with GO and provides a basis for a possible clinical use these substances.

Topics: Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Case-Control Studies; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Fibroblasts; Graves Ophthalmopathy; Humans; Orbit; Oxidative Stress; Primary Cell Culture; Vitamin A; Vitamin E