Antioxidants for Chronic Pancreatitis.One hundred twenty-seven patients (mean age, 30.5 years) with chronic pancreatitis (35 due to alcoholism, 92 idiopathic) were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, a daily antioxidant supplement (containing 600 [mu]g of selenium, 540 mg of vitamin C, 9,000 IU of beta-carotene, 270 IU of vitamin E, and 2 g of methionine methionine (mĕthī`ənēn), organic compound, one of the 20 amino acids commonly found in animal proteins. Only the L-stereoisomer appears in mammalian protein. ) or placebo for 6 months. After 6 months, the mean reduction in the number of painful days per month was significantly greater in the active-treatment group than in the placebogroup (82% reduction vs. 53% reduction; p < 0.001). The decrease in measures of oxidative stress was also significantly greater in the active-treatment group than in the control group. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Comment: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis. Increased oxidative stress may be exacerbated by a definciency of antioxidant nutrients resulting from malabsorption secondary to pancreatic insufficiency. The results of the present study indicate that antioxidant supplementation can relieve pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis, presumably pre·sum·a·ble adj. That can be presumed or taken for granted; reasonable as a supposition: presumable causes of the disaster. by reducing levels of oxidative stress. Bhardwaj P et al. A randomized controlled trial A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a scientific procedure most commonly used in testing medicines or medical procedures. RCTs are considered the most reliable form of scientific evidence because it eliminates all forms of spurious causality. of antioxidant supplementation for pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 2009;136:149-159.e2. by Alan R. Gaby MD drgaby@earthlink.net |
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