Vitamin E and cirrhotic muscle cramps
Konikoff, F.; Ben-Amitay, G.; Halpern, Z.; Weisman, Y.; Fishel, B.; Theodor, E.; Rattan, J.; Gilat, T.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences 27(4): 221-223
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2180 PMID: 2010278 Document Number: 381260
Of 29 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis 23 reported muscle cramps. Patients with cramps had significantly lower serum vitamin E values, 6.3+or-3.2 (mean+or-s.d.) vs. 11.5+or-4.8 micro g/ml, and significantly lower vitamin E:total lipid ratios than those without cramps. There were no differences between the groups in the other biochemical values estimated. In 13 patients with cramps treated with 200 mg tocopheryl acetate by mouth 3 times daily, the scores for cramp pain, frequency and duration were significantly lower after treatment. Serum vitamin E increased from 5.7+or-2.0 to 18.8+or-12.6 micro g/ml during treatment, indicating good compliance. Patients with values below 5 micro g/ml before the intervention study seemed to benefit most from treatment.