[Vitamin E and serum lipids in ischemic heart disease]

Vitamin E, cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in blood sera of 167 patients (40-59 years old) with angina pectoris. An increase in concentration of vitamin E was observed only in patients with hyperlipidemia, whereas the vitamin content was similar to the control values in patients with hypertension, in smokers and in the persons free of risk factor. Distinct correlation was found only between vitamin E and the triglycerides contents (r = 0.42). These data corresponded to the results of a previous examination of 224 men and 435 women without ischemic heart disease: in men the content of vitamin E correlated with triglycerides (r = 0.50) and in women--with cholesterol (r = 0.34). The ratio of vitamin E/triglycerides appears to be a more adequate index of the vitamin content in men.