We investigated effects of multivitamin/mineral supplementation on element levels in serum and follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF. We used three groups in this study. The first group was used as an age-matched and nonpregnant control (n = 13). Group 2 (n = 30) constituted the IVF group and women in the third group who were undergoing IVF also received a multivitamin/mineral tablet daily for 45 days. Follicular fluid and serum selenium and zinc levels and follicular fluid copper levels were lower in IVF patients than in controls although follicular fluid aluminum and iron levels were higher in IVF patients than in controls. However, follicular fluid and serum aluminum, copper, zinc and selenium levels, and serum magnesium levels were higher in the multivitamin/mineral group than in the IVF group although follicular fluid iron levels were lower in the multivitamin/mineral group than in the IVF group. In conclusion, we observed that copper, zinc, and selenium in serum and follicular fluid decreased in women undergoing IVF. Multivitamin/mineral supplementation in serum and follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF normalized the trace element levels.

X-ray radiation is detrimental to human cells and may lead to development of life-threatening diseases. Cigarette paper and cigarette smoke contain toxic elements, whereas vitamins C and E (VCE) may have regulator effects on the elements. We investigated effects of VCE administration on X-ray-induced element changes in blood of smoker and nonsmoker X-ray technicians. Twenty technicians and 30 healthy age-matched control subjects were used in the study. Ten of the X-ray technicians and 15 of the control were smokers. Blood serum samples were taken from the control. Oral vitamins C (500 mg) and E (150 mg) were supplemented daily to the smoker and nonsmoker X-ray technicians for 5 weeks. Serum samples were taken from the X-ray technicians before and after 5 weeks. Copper, zinc, selenium, aluminum, iron, magnesium, and calcium levels were investigated in control and X-ray technicians, both smokers and nonsmokers. Copper, zinc, and selenium levels were lower in the total X-ray group and smoker X-ray group than in control and nonsmoker X-ray group, although iron, magnesium, and calcium levels were higher in X-ray group than in control. The copper, zinc, selenium, and aluminum levels were higher in the VCE treatment group than those in X-ray group, although magnesium and calcium levels were decreased by the treatment. The serum zinc, copper, selenium, and magnesium levels were lower in smoker control group when compared to nonsmoker control group. The serum zinc levels were lower in smoker X-ray group than nonsmoker X-ray group, although iron level was higher in smoker X-ray group than in nonsmoker X-ray group. VCE prevents the smoke and X-ray-induced selenium, zinc, magnesium, and copper decrease to strengthen the antioxidant trace element levels in the serum of the technicians.

We investigated effects of vitamin C and E (VCE) administration on desflurane-induced oxidative toxicity and element changes in the blood of operative patients under desflurane general anesthesia. Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists I or II Physical Status adult patients were scheduled for elective surgery. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Control and VCE group was introduced to anesthesia with desflurane. VCE was administreted to patients in the control and VCE group before 1 hour of anesthesia with desflurane. Baseline (preoperative) and postoperative (at the 1(st), the 24(th), and 72(th) h), blood samples were taken from the first and second groups. Erythrocyte and plasma lipid peroxidation levels at the 1(st), 24(th), and 72(th) hours were higher in the control than in baseline group, although their levels at the same periods were lower in the VCE group than in the control. Vitamin E levels at the postoperative 1(st) and 24(th) hours and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity at the postoperative 1(st), 24(th), and 72(th) hours was lower than in baseline values. Erythrocyte GSH-Px activity and plasma vitamins A, C, and E levels at the postoperative 1(st), 24(th), and 72(th) hours were higher in the VCE group than in the control group. Erythrocyte and plasma reduced glutathione, plasma β-carotene, and serum copper, while zinc, selenium, aluminum, iron, magnesium, and calcium levels did not differ between preoperative and postoperative periods in both groups. In conclusion, VCE combination prevented the desflurane-induced vitamin E and GSH-Px consumptions to strengthen the antioxidant levels in the blood of operative patients.

Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels were compared in a group of 45 young, normotensive, nonobese and nondiabetic women who used modern combined minidose contraceptive pills, to a matched group of 39 women who did not use any hormonal preparations. Our results show an increase in triglyceride levels as well as significant increase in cholesterol level in the ‘pill’ users group. We failed to show a significant change in HDL cholesterol levels and HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol ratio between the two groups. Our results concerning triglyceride levels are in consent to previous studies in the medical literature, while the elevation in cholesterol levels has rarely been reported in contemporary papers about minidose pill users. It seems that the contradicting effect of estrogen and progesterone on plasma HDL levels neutralizes each other’s effect on this lipoprotein fraction. The elevation in plasma triglycerides and cholesterol may have importance in the vascular abnormalities seen in such pill users.

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