Unwanted results of treatment with antioxidant-rich food supplement in colectomised patients

Introduction: Antioxidant consumption is sine qua non for a healthy way of life, but concentration ranges are wide and dependent on individual genetic background. Among others dietary habits could result in the changes of redox homeostasis, which is very important for the equilibrium between tissue regeneration and apoptosis.

Aim: Our aim was to study the effect of proprietary preparation on colectomised volunteers. This preparation was characterized by LC-MS/MS, with the presence of di- and three-glycosides and coumaroyl-derivatives of delphinidin, cyanidin and petunidin; and mono-and diglycosides of quercetin, kempferol and isorhamnetin (flavonols).

Methods: Randomly chosen Caucasian volunteers from both sexes, 28 patients (aged: 60.4±8.8 years) after 5–10 years of their colectomy and 9 healthy volunteers (aged: 55.8±9.7 years) were drawn into the study. This food supplement was added to all volunteers for 3 months in 2×3g/day dose. Tumor markers (CEA, CA 19–9, AFP, PSA), redox parameters (induced free radical level, reducing power, SOD, GSHPx), CRP, HbA1c and routine laboratory parameters were measured. (Permission number: IKEB 2005.)

Results: Treatment with food supplement unfavourably elevated plasma and erythrocyte free radical level and HbA1c concentration and diminished plasma reducing power in asymptomatic patients. HbA1c level correlated significantly with free radical level and decreased antioxidant status of erythrocytes. Tumor markers (AFP, CEA, CA19–9) were elevated moderately during treatment of both groups. PSA level was not changed during treatment. SOD activity elevated and GSHPx activity was not increased.

Conclusion: The significant organism compensatory effect induced essential free radicals against nutritive antioxidant overflow, which was not exactly regulated. Therefore consumption of food supplementary products without medical consultation is contraindicated especially in cancer predisposition