The Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Mild Hypertension

Introduction: Hypertension as a major coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factor is more prevalent in Iran. In recent years, the effect of antioxidants in reducing CAD and their risk factors has been considered. Therefore, this triple blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to determine the effects of antioxidant vitamin E on blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension.

Materials & Method: 70 subjects with mild hypertension (SBP: 140-160 mmHg, DBP: 90-100) and without secondary hypertension who were referred to hypertension unit in Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center were recruited.  All subjects were aged between 20 and 60 years old with only one cardiovascular risk factor. They were divided randomly into two sub-groups of supplement or placebo. Two sub-groups were matched for confounding factors such as job, age, sex, religion and education level. Supplement group was received 200 IU/day vitamin E tablet and placebo group was received a placebo tablet per day for 27 weeks. At the beginning and at the end of the study, the vitamin E level was measured using Hansen & Warwick method by flourometric method in all subjects. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at the beginning; during and at the end of the study by a physician using the same sphygmomanometer.

Results: At the end of the study, it was found that the vitamin E supplement decreased 24% systolic blood pressure compare to 1.6% in placebo group (p<0.05.  Diastolic blood pressure was decreased 12.5% in supplement and 6.2% in placebo group after 27 weeks (P<0.05).

Conclusion: It is concluded that 200 IU/day vitamin E supplement as decreases mild hypertension may be the cause of increasing long term availability of nitric oxide and its influences to monitor blood pressure.