Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the greatest killer in the world today, imposing a significant
burden on every nation’s health and wealth. Atherosclerosis remains one of the leading reasons for CVD.
Subsequent to the discovery that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of
atherosclerosis, vitamins C and E, along with other antioxidants, were studied as potential therapies for the
disease. However, while in vitro and in vivo studies showed promising antiatherogenic effects for vitamins C
and E, clinical trials in which patients were given high doses of vitamin C or E showed no benefit and even
possible harm. This review will attempt to summarize the known mechanistic data regarding the biochemical
effects of vitamins C and E and their relevance to atherosclerosis, and offer an explanation for the failure of
clinical trials to show that supplementation with these vitamins provides any benefit when given
indiscriminately.