The Relationship between Serum Levels of Vitamin C, Uric Acid and Antioxidant status with Coronary Artery Disease: a Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is among the main causes of death in adults. Increase of oxidative stress and defects in antioxidant defense play a major role in endothelium performance and are an effective factor in progress of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is to measure the serum level of UA and vitamin C as well as the antioxidant status of CHD patients to evaluate their relationship and compare them with the healthy individual. Materials and methods:The present case-control study was performed on 44 cases and 44 controls. Demographic data and anthropometric indices were measured. Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and international physical activity questionnaire were also completed. After 12 hours of fasting, 10 ml blood was sampled from the participants. Uric acid (UA), vitamin C, TAC and MDA were also measured. The data were finally analyzed by SPSS Ver 22 software.Results: A significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of uric acid (P<0.001) and vitamin C (P<0.03). However, mean MDA and TAC showed no significant difference between the two groups. The two groups' difference in terms of vitamin A, E and beta carotene, zinc and selenium intake was not significant. A significant difference was however detected between the two groups in terms of vitamin C intake (P<0.047). A significant relationship was also observed between the systolic blood pressure and CHD (P<0.028). Conclusion:Our results suggest that increasing of serum uric acid and a decrease in serum vitamin C level can be considered as risk factors for CHD patients. Due to the lack of significant correlation between TAC and CHD in this study, it seems that different results will be obtained with increasing sample size.