Antioxidant vitamin status of obese patients in terms of the risk of comorbidities

BACKGROUND: Synchronously optimized concentrations of vitamins C, E, A, carotenoids and their ratios in blood plasma help to prevent or slow down the development of many alimentary-dependent diseases and their complications. AIMS: to characterize the vitamin status of obese patients from the standpoint of the risk of progression of existing and development of associated diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational single-site cross-sectional study of the sufficiency with antioxidant vitamins in 81 patients (21 men, 60 women) aged 20–75 years with body mass index 40,7±1,2 kg/m2, enrolled for treatment from April to June in Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology had been conducted. The concentration of α- and γ-tocopherols, retinol, ascorbic acid, β-carotene was determined in blood serum and their ratios with lipid profile were calculated. RESULTS: Indicators of vitamin status were determined in 35 patients with obesity, 27 patients with obesity and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), 19 patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The concentration of ascorbic acid in more than 50% of patients did not reach the optimal level (50 µmol/l). Compared to patients of other groups, patients with T2DM were better supplied with vitamin E, but worse with other vitamins. They have a non-optimal ratio of concentrations of vitamin C and E more often compared with patients of other groups (p≤0.050). Among them, the combined suboptimal level of vitamin C and β-carotene (