Antioxidant Therapy and Cystic Fibrosis – Part 2

Another study researchers proposed that acute and chronic pancreatitis may be alleviated by micronutrient antioxidants which can help to fight the heightened free radical activity. Short term and long term studies have been underway to determine the efficacy and efficiency of administration of specific antioxidants in the fight against the symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis. (5)

Another study found that antioxidant therapy was unsuccessful in the treatment of interstitial disease in rats. CF was one of those diseases tested. There were only two antioxidants tested which were drugs developed in the laboratory setting and not used as whole foods.

Another study demonstrated that antioxidant therapy had positive effects in the treatment of pancreatitis. The antioxidants used were selenium, Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Methionine. Each of the products were organic. The results confirmed that with exposure to antioxidants in active treatment phase of pancreatitis, patients experienced amelioration of oxidative stress to the cells without residual effect. (6)

In February 2008, a US patent was applied and granted to provide for methods of enhancing chloride transport in the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis. This transport is meant to assist in the delivery of antioxidants at the cellular level to fight free radical damage.

At this point there isn’t enough evidence to either support or refute the use of antioxidant therapy in individuals who suffer the effects of Cystic Fibrosis. The good news is that there is also no evidence that there are negative effects to using antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements. However, before incorporating anything new into your medical regimen it is important to consult with your health care practitioner and pharmacist to be sure that they will not interfere with the actions of your current medicine or any other underlying medical condition.

References:

(1) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: About cystic fibrosis

http://www.cff.org/AboutCF/

(2) Current Opinion in Pulmonary medicine: Potential for Antioxidant Therapy for cystic Fibrosis

http://journals.lww.com/co-pulmonarymedicine/Abstract/2004/11000/Potential_for_antioxidant_therapy_of_cystic.14.aspx

(3) Rice University: Antioxidants and Free Radicals

http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/antiox.html

(4) Current Neuropharmacology: Oxidative Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review of Upstream and Downstream Antioxidant Therapeutic Options

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724665/

(5) Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology: Rationale for Antioxidant Therapy in Pancreatitis and Cystic Fibrosis

(6) Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas: Use of Antioxidants to Treat Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10985097