Antioxidant vitamins and prevention of cardiovascular disease: laboratory, epidemiological and clinical trial data

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#antioxidants #ascorbic-acid #cardiovascular-diseases #case-control-studies #cohort-studies

Antioxidant vitamins and prevention of cardiovascular disease: laboratory, epidemiological and clinical trial data

Marchioli et al., 1999 | Pharmacol Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Marchioli R. Antioxidant vitamins and prevention of cardiovascular disease: laboratory, epidemiological and clinical trial data. Pharmacol Res. 1999-Sep;40(3):227-38

Abstract

Naturally occurring antioxidants like vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C can inhibit the oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins. This action could positively influence the atherosclerotic process and, as a consequence, the progression of coronary heart disease. A wealth of experimental studies provide a sound biological rationale for the mechanisms of action of antioxidants, whereas epidemiological studies strongly sustain the 'antioxidant hypothesis'. To data, however, clinical trials with beta-carotene supplements have been disappointing and their use as a preventive intervention for cancer and coronary heart disease should be discouraged. Only scant data from clinical trials are available for vitamin C. As for vitamin E, discrepant results have been obtained by the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study with a low-dose vitamin E supplementation (50 mg daily) and the Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study (400-800 mg daily). Currently ongoing are several large-scale clinical trials that will help in clarifying the role of vitamin E in the prevention of atherosclerotic coronary disease.

Key Findings

Currently ongoing are several large-scale clinical trials that will help in clarifying the role of vitamin E in the prevention of atherosclerotic coronary disease.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Antioxidants
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Vitamin E
  • beta Carotene

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: vitamin-e

Provenance

  • PMID: 10479466
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09