Effect of vitamins C and E on progression of transplant-associated arteriosclerosis: a randomised trial

Background Cardiac transplantation is associated with oxidant stress, which may contribute to the development of accelerated coronary arteriosclerosis. We postulated that treatment with antioxidant vitamins C and E would retard the progression of transplant-associated arteriosclerosis. Methods In a double-blind prospective study, 40 patients (0–2 years after cardiac transplantation) were randomly assigned vitamin C 500 mg plus vitamin E 400 IU, each twice daily (n=19), or placebo (n=21) for 1 year. The primary endpoint was the change in average intimal index (plaque area divided by vessel area) measured by intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS). Coronary endothelium-dependent vasoreactivity was assessed with intracoronary acetylcholine infusions. IVUS, coronary vasoreactivity, and vitamin C and E plasma concentrations were assessed at baseline and at 1 year follow-up. All patients received pravastatin. Analyses were by intention to treat. Findings Vitamin C and E concentrations increased in the vitamin group (vitamin C 43 [SD 21] to 103 [43] μmol/L; vitamin E 24 [14] to 65 [27] μmol/L) but did not change in the placebo group (vitamin C 45 [15] vs 43 [16] μmol/L; vitamin E 27 [14] vs 27 [9] μmol/L; p< 0•0001 for difference between groups). During 1 year of treatment, the intimal index increased in the placebo group by 8% (SE 2) but did not change significantly in the treatment group (0•8% [1]; p=0•008). Coronary endothelial function remained stable in both groups. Interpretation Supplementation with antioxidant vitamins C and E retards the early progression of transplant-associated coronary arteriosclerosis.