The Effect of Antioxidant Vitamins E and C on Cognitive Performance of the Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment in Isfahan, Iran: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Publisher Pubmed



Alavi Naeini AM¹ ; Elmadfa I^{2, 6} ; Djazayery A¹ ; Barekatain M³ ; Aghaye Ghazvini MR⁴ ; Djalali M¹ ; Feizi A⁵
Source: European Journal of Nutrition Published:2014

Abstract

Purpose: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of vitamins E and C on cognitive performance among the elderly in Iran. Methods: About 256 elderly with mild cognitive impairment, aged 60-75 years, received 300 mg of vitamin E plus 400 mg of vitamin C or placebo daily just for 1 year. Background: Demographic characteristics, anthropometric variables food consumption, cognitive function by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and some of the oxidative stress biomarkers were examined. Results: Antioxidant supplementation reduced malondialdehyde level (P < 0.001) and raised total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.001) and glutathione (P < 0.01). The serum 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine remained unchanged (P < 0.4). After adjusting for the covariates effects, MMSE scores following 6- (25.88 ± 0.17) and 12-month antioxidant supplementation (26.8 ± 0.17) did not differ from control group (25.86 ± 0.18 and 26.59 ± 0.18, respectively). Conclusion: Despite significant improvement in most of the oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidants' supplementation was not observed to enhance cognitive performance. A large number of kinetic and/or dynamic factors could be suspected. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.