beta-carotene and Raynaud-Disease

Oxidative stress, favoring disease progression by a rapid degeneration of endothelial cell function is deeply involved in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis. Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), present in 90% of patients with SSc, provoking frequent daily episodes of hypoxia-reperfusion injury, produces several episodes of free radicals-mediated endothelial derangement. These events results in a positive feedback effect of luminal narrowing and ischemia and therefore to the birth of a vicious cycle of oxygen free radicals (OFR) generation, leading to endothelial damage, intimal thickening and fibrosis. Thus ischemia and reperfusion are two criticals events that may induce oxidative stress and inactivation of antioxidant enzymes. In RP and SSc, a reduced concentration of ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene as well as low values of Selenium have been reported. This antioxidative potential deficiency increases the propensity to oxidative stress. favoring the development of injury mediated by OFR. We reviewed several antioxidant compounds, aiming at their capacity of reverting endothelial dysfunction and damage, scavenging lipid peroxidation and reducing multiple episodes of hypoxia-reperfusion injury. In order to interrupt SSc vicious cycle, we propose a main strategy for SSc treatment by a supplementation of antioxidants and different kind of drugs with antioxidant property, such as Lazaroids, Resveratrol, Melatonin and Probucol.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Endothelium, Vascular; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Melatonin; Nitric Oxide; Oxidative Stress; Pregnatrienes; Probucol; Raynaud Disease; Reactive Oxygen Species; Reperfusion Injury; Resveratrol; Scleroderma, Systemic; Selenium; Stilbenes; Vitamin E

To examine the resistance to oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) compared with healthy controls.. Plasma LDL were isolated from patients with diffuse cutaneous and limited cutaneous SSc (dcSSc and lcSSc, respectively), patients with primary RP, and healthy control subjects. The lipoproteins were assessed for their resistance to oxidation in the presence of cupric ions, using spectrophotometric assays.. LDL from patients with dcSSc and lcSSc were more susceptible to oxidation than were those from healthy control subjects or patients with RP.. Our findings suggest that free radicals may play a role in the pathology of SSc.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Cholesterol; Fatty Acids; Female; Humans; Lipoproteins, LDL; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidation-Reduction; Raynaud Disease; Scleroderma, Systemic; Triglycerides; Vitamin E

To investigate the possibility that micronutrient antioxidant status is an important factor in determining the severity of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and in differentiating between patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) and those in whom Raynaud's is secondary to systemic sclerosis (SSc).. Four micronutrient antioxidants (selenium, vitamin E, beta-carotene and ascorbic acid) and 2 "markers" of free radical associated activity were assayed in peripheral blood from 10 patients with PRP, 9 with limited cutaneous SSc (ISSc), 9 with diffuse SSc (dSSc) and 15 healthy control subjects.. Plasma ascorbic acid was reduced in all 3 groups of patients: median level 10.6 mg/l in controls, 4.8 mg/l in PRP (p < 0.01), 2.5 mg/l in ISSc (p < 0.01) and 6.8 mg/l in dSSc (p < 0.05). A reduction in serum selenium was especially found in dSSc (median 75 micrograms/l compared to 100 micrograms/l in controls, p < 0.05). In keeping with these deficiencies, the serum concentration of 9, 11, linoleic acid was elevated in RP patients: median values for the molar ratio of the isomer to the parent fatty acid were 1.91% in controls, 3.70% in ISSc (p < 0.05) and 3.85% in dSSc (p < 0.01). Smoking patients showed lower levels of ascorbic acid and higher levels of the linoleic isomer than nonsmokers.. Deficiencies of ascorbic acid and selenium may predispose towards irreversible tissue injury in RP patients and cigarette smoke may be an independent risk factor. Micronutrient antioxidant supplements may be of therapeutic value.

Topics: Aging; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Case-Control Studies; Female; Free Radicals; Humans; Male; Raynaud Disease; Scleroderma, Systemic; Selenium; Sex Factors; Smoking; Trace Elements; Vitamin E