Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

Dhawan M, Kachru DN, Tandon SK. Influence of thiamine and ascorbic acid
supplementation on the antidotal efficacy of thiol chelators in experimental lead
intoxication. Arch Toxicol. 1988;62(4):301-4.
Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, India.
The influence of the administration of thiamine (vitamin B1), ascorbic acid
(vitamin C) or their combination on the efficacy of two thiol metal chelators, viz.
alpha-mercapto-beta-(2-furyl) acrylic acid (MFA) and 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid
(DMS), in counteracting lead (Pb) toxicity was investigated in rats. Ascorbic acid
or its combination with thiamine enhanced the urinary elimination of Pb, reduced
the hepatic and renal burden of Pb, and reversed the Pb-induced inhibition of the
activity of blood delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (delta-ALA-D). All these
effects were more evident in DMS- than in MFA-treated rats. The combination of
MFA and DMS treatments further improved the performance of the animals in
enhancing urinary Pb excretion and in reducing Pb hepatic levels.
PMID: 3240094 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Dickinson VA, Block G, Russek-Cohen E. Supplement use, other dietary and
demographic variables, and serum vitamin C in NHANES II. J Am Coll Nutr. 1994
Feb;13(1):22-32.
Nutritional Sciences Program, University of Maryland.
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the effect of regular use of nutritional
supplements on serum vitamin C levels in a multivariable regression model,
taking into account other dietary and demographic variables which may affect
nutritional status. METHODS: We analyzed NHANES II data for subjects age 3 to
74. Analysis was limited to regular supplement users and nonusers, excluding
irregular users. Multivariable regression analysis was performed with SUDAAN,
incorporating sample weights and accounting for the complex survey design.
RESULTS: Regular supplement users had substantially higher serum vitamin C
levels than nonusers (p < 0.001). The magnitude of the effect of supplement use
on serum vitamin C was 0.23-0.33 mg/dL in children and teens, and 0.36-0.46
mg/dL in adults. In adults who smoked, bottom quartile vitamin C levels were
0.3 mg/dL in men and 0.4 mg/dL in women who did not use supplements,
compared to 0.9 and 1.1 mg/dL in regular supplement users. There was a
significant interaction of smoking and supplement use in men (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Regular supplement use has a strong impact on serum vitamin C
levels, independent of other dietary and demographic characteristics of
supplement users which may favor improved nutritional status.
PMID: 8157850 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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