Plasma antioxidant levels in chronic cholestatic liver diseases

Bakcground: A predictable consequence of cholestasis is malabsorption of fat-soluble factors, (vitamins A, D, E, K) and other free radical scavengers, such as carotenoids. It has been suggested that oxygen-derived free radicals may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic liver damage. Aims: (i) To evaluate retinol, α-tocopherol and carotenoid plasma levels in two groups of patients with chronic cholestatic liver disease (primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis); (ii) to compare the respective plasma levels with those of the general population; (iii) to correlate the plasma levels with disease severity. Methods: A total of 105 patients with chronic cholestasis were included in the study: 86 with primary biliary cirrhosis (81 female, five male, mean age 55.5 ± 11 years), 19 with primary sclerosing cholangitis (seven female, 12 male, mean age 35 ± 11 years; six patients had associated inflammatory bowel disease); 105 sex- and age-matched subjects from the general population in the same geographical area (88 female, 17 male, mean age 51.3.5 ± 10 years) served as controls. Carotenoids (lutein zeaxanthin, lycopene, β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin), retinol and α-tocopherol were assayed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. A food frequency questionnaire was administered to each subject to evaluate the quality and the quantity of dietary compounds. Data were processed by analysis of variance and linear regression analysis, as appropriate. Results: Both primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis patients had significantly lower levels of retinol, α-tocopherol, total carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, α- and β-carotene than controls (P