Levels of l-ascorbic acid and cadmium in the saphenous vein of patients with coronary artery disease are negatively correlated

Abstract Background The aim of this study was the simultaneous determination of levels of cadmium and l -ascorbic Acid (AA) in human saphenous vein (SV) used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and check whether there is a relationship between these levels. Methods Human SV were collected from 40 patients (20 men and 20 women; age, 40–75 years) at the time of routine coronary artery surgical revascularization. The concentration of cadmium in the tissue was determined according to the GF AAS—atomic absorption method. The concentration of AA was assayed in supernatant by FIA method with spectrophotometric detection. Results AA concentration (mean ± SD); men: 98,7 ± 13,18 μg/g tissue, women: 96,06 ± 11,98 μg/g tissue. Cadmium concentration(mean ± SD); men: 309 ± 103,71 ng/g tissue, women: 348,5 ± 255,71 ng/g tissue. Correlations among concentrations of AA and cadmium were insignificant negative in the group of men (Pearson r = −0,1504, p = 0,5269) and in the group women (Pearson r = −0339, p = 0144). Conclusions Negative correlations among concentrations of AA and cadmium in human SV obtained in our study may indicate a protective effect of this vitamin in relation to toxic cadmium.