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Blood vitamin concentrations during the acute-phase response
J A Louw1, A Werbeck, M E Louw
1Department Internal Medicine, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa.
Critical Care Medicine
|July 1, 1992
Summary
The acute-phase response significantly lowers blood vitamin levels, including vitamin C, A, and E, during stress. These vitamin concentrations naturally recover without intervention, highlighting the need for careful interpretation during illness.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Nutrition
- Physiology
Background:
- The acute-phase response is a systemic reaction to tissue injury or inflammation.
- Stress and illness can impact nutrient metabolism and blood concentrations.
- Understanding vitamin level fluctuations during the acute-phase response is crucial for accurate clinical assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the acute-phase response on blood vitamin concentrations.
- To determine if vitamin levels change during physiological stress.
- To test the hypothesis that stress alters blood vitamin concentrations.
Main Methods:
- An open study involving 26 healthy adult volunteers.
- The acute-phase response was monitored using serum C-reactive protein levels.
- Blood vitamin concentrations were measured over a 7-day period post-surgery or trauma.
Main Results:
- A significant, transient increase in C-reactive protein confirmed the acute-phase response.
- Significant, transient decreases were observed in leukocyte vitamin C, plasma vitamin A, vitamin E, and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate.
- Several vitamin concentrations dropped below normal ranges but normalized spontaneously without treatment.
Conclusions:
- Transient, significant decreases in blood vitamin concentrations occur during the acute-phase response.
- The functional significance of these vitamin level changes is currently unclear.
- Biochemical vitamin concentrations measured during the acute-phase response require careful interpretation.