[Decrease of affinity between arterial proteoglycans and LDL isolated from smokers and non-smokers with vitamin E and C administration].

LDL interaction with arterial proteoglycans and its oxidative modification is closely related to atherosclerosis. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of the individual administration of vitamin E and a combination of vitamin E and C on LDL affinity for arterial proteoglycans in smokers and non-smokers subjects. Twenty smokers and ten non-smokers healthy subjects received by the oral route placebos of vitamins E and C for 15 days; then vitamin E (400 mg/d) for 30 days and finally vitamin E plus vitamin C (1000 mg/d) during the following 30 days. During the vitamin E supplementation period, the affinity of LDL for arterial proteoglycans decreased 19.3% in smokers and 25.2% in non-smokers. When the subjects received vitamin E plus vitamin C, the affinity of LDL for arterial proteoglycans decreased 25.6% and 30.1% in smokers and non-smokers respectively. In conclusion, simultaneous administration of vitamins E and C showed a synergistic effect to diminish the affinity of the LDL by arterial proteoglycans, that was greater than caused by the administration of vitamin E alone. These finding suggest a potential antiatherogenic effect of both antioxidant vitamins.