High-dose vitamin E supplementation normalizes retinal blood flow and creatinine clearance in patients with type 1 diabetes

High-dose vitamin E supplementation normalizes retinal blood flow and creatinine clearance in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Bursell SE, Clermont AC, Aiello LP, Aiello LM, Schlossman DK, Feener EP, Laffel L, King GL
Diabetes Care 1999 Aug;22(8):1245-51

Beetham Eye Institute, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

ABSTRACT: An 8-month randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial evaluated 36 type 1 diabetic and 9 nondiabetic subjects.

Either 1,800 IU vitamin E/day or placebo was given orally for 4 months and followed, after treatment crossover, for a further 4 months. Retinal blood flow was measured using video fluorescein angiography.

After high dose vitamin E treatment, diabetic patient retinal blood flow was significantly increased (from 29.1 to 34.5, P<0.001) and was comparable with that of nondiabetic subjects.

Additionally, vitamin E treatment significantly (P = 0.039) normalized elevated baseline creatinine clearance in diabetic patients, improving kidney function.

CONCLUSIONS: High dose oral vitamin E treatment, in doses of 1,800 units daily, was effective in normalizing retinal blood flow abnormalities and improving renal function in type 1 diabetic patients

This study provides evidence that high dose vitamin E supplementation may reduce the risks for diabetic eye and kidney diseases.

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