Effect of vitamin E and C supplementation on oxidative damage and total antioxidant capacity in lead-exposed workers

• We founded beneficial effects of vitamin E/C supplementation in lead exposed workers.
• Lead intoxication was accompanied by high oxidative damage and antioxidant response.
• Vitamin supplementation (E 400 IU + C 1 g/daily, one year) decreases oxidative damage.
• Antioxidant supplementations decreased the oxidative damage and antioxidant capacity.

The molecular response of the antioxidant system and the effects of antioxidant supplementation against oxidative insult in lead-exposed workers has not been sufficiently studied. In this work, antioxidants (vitamin E 400 IU + vitamin C 1 g/daily) were supplemented for one year to 15 workers exposed to lead (73 μg of lead/dl of blood) and the results were compared with those on 19 non-lead exposed workers (6.7 μg of lead/dl). Lead intoxication was accompanied by a high oxidative damage and an increment in the erythrocyte antioxidant response due to increased activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Antioxidant supplementations decreased significantly the oxidative damage as well as the total antioxidant capacity induced by lead intoxication with reduction of the antioxidant enzyme activities. We conclude that antioxidant supplementation is effective in reducing oxidative damage and induces modifications in the physiopathological status of the antioxidant response in lead-exposed workers.

Effect of vitamin E/vitamin C supplementation on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system status in blood of non-lead exposed and lead exposed workers: (A) Lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and (B) total antioxidant capacity (TAC) before (□) and after (■) supplementation. Values are mean ± SD. ***Significant difference (p < 0.001) for paired test before and after supplementation.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide