Related Experiment Videos
Role of vitamin E in the aetiology of phrynoderma (follicular hyperkeratosis) and its interrelationship with
Insights
This study found low vitamin E levels in children with phrynoderma (follicular hyperkeratosis). Supplementation with vitamin E and B-complex vitamins effectively cured the condition, suggesting a crucial role for vitamin E in phrynoderma treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Phrynoderma, also known as follicular hyperkeratosis, is a skin condition.
- The exact causes of phrynoderma are not fully understood.
- Vitamin E's role in skin health is recognized, but its specific involvement in phrynoderma requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of vitamin E in the aetiology of phrynoderma.
- To compare plasma vitamin E levels in children with and without phrynoderma.
- To evaluate the therapeutic effect of vitamin E and B-complex vitamins on phrynoderma.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 56 children diagnosed with phrynoderma and 21 healthy children.
- Measurement of plasma vitamin E levels in all participants.
- Therapeutic intervention with vitamin E and B-complex vitamins in affected children.
Main Results:
- Children with phrynoderma exhibited significantly lower plasma vitamin E levels (3.7 +/- 0.19 mg/l) compared to normal children (6.6 +/- 0.40 mg/l).
- Combined therapy with vitamin E and B-complex vitamins resulted in a complete cure of phrynoderma.
- A potential interaction between vitamin E and B-complex vitamins was suggested by differing increases in plasma vitamin E levels post-administration.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin E deficiency may play a role in the development of phrynoderma.
- Vitamin E, potentially in conjunction with B-complex vitamins, is an effective treatment for phrynoderma.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise interrelationship between vitamin E and B-complex vitamins in this context.
Abstract:
1. A study was undertaken to investigate the role of vitamin E in the aetiology of phrynoderma (follicular hyperkeratosis). Fifty-six children with the disease and twenty-one normal children were investigated for this purpose. 2. Plasma vitamin E levels (mean +/- SE; mg/l) were found to be low in phrynoderma (3.7 +/- 0.19) in contrast with normal children (6.6 +/- 0.40) and therapy with a combination of vitamin E and B-complex brought about complete cure. 3. The increase in plasma vitamin E levels after the administration of vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg three times daily for 4 weeks was higher than that obtained when vitamin E at the same dose was administered together with vitamin B-complex for 4 weeks, suggesting an interaction between the two vitamins. Further studies are necessary to find out the exact nature of this interrelationship.