The Effect of Vitamin C on Toxic Metals, Antioxidant Minerals, Oxidative Stress, and Lipid Profile of Automobile Workers

Context: Automobile workers (AMWs) are exposed to lots of toxic chemicals with associated adverse health consequences. The adverse health effects are mainly attributed to oxidative stress, however, antioxidant vitamins may aid in ameliorating these adverse effects. Aim: The aim of this study was to...

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Main Authors: Chikaodili Nwando Obi-Ezeani, Chudi Emmanuel Dioka, Samuel Chukwuemeka Meludu, Ifeoma Joy Onuora
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer – Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
Series:Journal of Integrated Health Sciences
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/JIHS.JIHS_12_20
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Summary:Context: Automobile workers (AMWs) are exposed to lots of toxic chemicals with associated adverse health consequences. The adverse health effects are mainly attributed to oxidative stress, however, antioxidant vitamins may aid in ameliorating these adverse effects. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Vitamin C supplementation on toxic metals, antioxidant minerals, oxidative stress, and lipid profile of AMWs. Settings and Design: Twenty-nine AMWs and 30 controls aged 19–55 years were recruited for this study. Subsequently, 27 AMWs received 500 mg Vitamin C tablets daily for 2 months. Subjects and Methods: Five milliliters of fasting blood samples was collected before intervention and at 1- and 2-month intervals for biochemical analyses. Blood lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured spectrophotometrically, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) were measured enzymatically, whereas MDA/TAC, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL (VLDL), and non-HDL (nHDL) were calculated. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean levels of Pb, Cd, MDA, MDA/TAC ratio, TC, LDL, VLDL, TG, and nHDL were significantly higher, whereas Se and Zn were significantly lower in AMWs compared to controls (P < 0.05). After 2 months of supplementation, Pb and TG levels decreased significantly, whereas Se, Zn, and HDL levels increased significantly compared to their values at 1 month and baseline (P < 0.05). MDA, MDA/TAC, TC, LDL, VLDL, and nHDL decreased progressively, whereas TAC level increased progressively from baseline to 2 months of Vitamin C intake (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin C reduced blood lead and oxidative stress, improved antioxidant defense, and may modulate dyslipidemia and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in AMWs.
ISSN:2347-6486
2347-6494