Serial coronary angiographic evidence that antioxidant vitamin intake reduces progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of supplementary and dietary vitamin E and C intake with the progression of coronary artery disease.

DESIGN

A subgroup analysis of the on-trial antioxidant vitamin intake database acquired in the Cholesterol Lowering Atherosclerosis Study, a randomized, placebo-controlled, serial angiographic clinical trial evaluating the risk and benefit of colestipol-niacin on coronary artery disease progression.

SETTING

Community- and university-based cardiac catheterization laboratories.

SUBJECTS

A total of 156 men aged 40 to 59 years with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

INTERVENTION

Supplementary and dietary vitamin E and C intake (nonrandomized) in association with cholesterol-lowering diet and either colestipol-niacin or placebo (randomized).

OUTCOME

Change per subject in the percentage of vessel diameter obstructed because of stenosis (%S) determined by quantitative coronary angiography after 2 years of randomized therapy on all lesions, mild/moderate lesions (< 50%S), and severe lesions (> or = 50%S).

RESULTS

Overall, subjects with supplementary vitamin E intake of 100 IU per day or greater demonstrated less coronary artery lesion progression than did subjects with supplementary vitamin E intake less than 100 IU per day for all lesions (P = .04) and for mild/moderate lesions (P = .01). Within the drug group, benefit of supplementary vitamin E intake was found for all lesions (P = .02) and mild/moderate lesions (P = .01). Within the placebo group, benefit of supplementary vitamin E intake was not found. No benefit was found for use of supplementary vitamin C exclusively or in conjunction with supplementary vitamin E, use of multivitamins, or increased dietary intake of vitamin E or vitamin C.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate an association between supplementary vitamin E intake and angiographically demonstrated reduction in coronary artery lesion progression. Verification from carefully designed, randomized, serial arterial imaging end point trials is needed.