Plasma vitamin C and tocotrienols changes in response to dietary supplementation among young male adults

Background and Aims. Intake of the antioxidant vitamins C and E lowers the oxidative stress. The study aimed to determine plasma concentrations of vitamin C and tocotrienols after supplementation of both vitamins in young male adults. Materials and Methods. A total of 64 police recruits were randomly assigned to one of these groups: (a) 500 mg vitamin C (Vitamin C), (b) 200 mg Tocovid™(Tocotrienol), (c) combination of 500 mg vitamin C and 200 mg Tocovid™ (Combination) or (d) placebo (Placebo) for eight-weeks of supplementation followed by six-week washout period. Results. In Combination group, mean plasma vitamin C concentration significantly increased from baseline 2.86 ± 1.19 mg/L to 10.37 ± 1.29 mg/L and 15.63 ± 1.27 mg/L after four- and eight-week supplementation, respectively. The corresponding figures for α-, δ- and γ-tocotrienols were 9.9 ± 2.5 ng/ml to 104.1 ± 19.8 ng/ml and 112.8 ± 38.0 ng/ml; 2.5 ± 0.9 ng/ml to 29.9 ± 7.0 ng/ml and 17.9 ± 4.7 ng/ml; 19.2 ± 3.1 ng/ml to 75.2 ± 24.1 ng/ml and 161.7 ± 49.9 ng/ml, respectively. In Vitamin C group, plasma vitamin C concentrations were significantly increased. Conversely, concentration of plasma vitamin C in Tocotrienol group increased from baseline of 2.72 ± 0.20 mg/L to 6.80 ± 0.63 mg/L and 8.9 ± 0.77 mg/L respectively. Plasma concentrations of α-, δ- and γ-tocotrienols in this group were significantly elevated. After 6-week washout period, all the elevated concentrations returned to basal levels. Conclusion. The study showed a good bioavailability of these vitamins and increment due to supplementation.