Effect of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene supplementation on macrovascular complications and total mortality from diabetes: results of the ATBC Study.

Aim: To determine whether alpha-tocopherol or beta-carotene supplementation affects diabetic macrovascular complications and total mortality.

Methods: This study was carried out as part of the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study, a double-blind, randomized trial with a 2x2 factorial design. A total of 29,133 middle-aged male smokers received either vitamin E 50 mg/day or beta-carotene 20 mg/day, or both, or placebo for a median of 6.