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☻ Seeking to Unravel the Enigma of Vitamin E -PDF file
Karen Hopkin, Ph.D., biochemistry, is a freelance writer from Somerville, MA. She also is coauthor of the textbook Essential Cell Biology (Garland Science, 2004).
Vitamin E appears to regulate the activity of genes involved in cell adhesion, cell division, and cell signaling. And it could dampen inflammation.
FAO/WHO expert consultation on human vitamin and mineral requirement
Summary of the role of vitamin E in human metabolic processes
A large body of scientific evidence indicates that reactive free radicals are involved inmany diseases, including heart disease and cancers (1). Cells contain many potentiallyoxidizable substrates such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), proteins, and DNA.Therefore, a complex antioxidant defence system normally protects cells from the injuriouseffects of endogenously produced free radicals as well as from species of exogenous originsuch as cigarette smoke and pollutants. Should our exposure to free radicals exceed theprotective capacity of the antioxidant defence system, a phenomenon often referred to asoxidative stress (2), then damage to biologic molecules may occur. There is considerableevidence that disease causes an increase in oxidative stress; therefore, consumption of foodsrich in antioxidants, which are potentially able to quench or neutralise excess radicals, mayplay an important role in modifying the development of such diseases
☻ VITAMIN E SHOWN TO HELP FIGHT UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS, ESPECIALLY COLDS, IN THE ELDERLY-PDF file
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 17, 2004 – Vitamin E supplementation has potential benefit in fighting upper respiratory tract infections such as colds in the elderly, says a study published in the Aug. 18 issue of JAMA. According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), one of the dietary supplement industry’s leading trade associations, this is one more positive study to add to the mounting scientific evidence that vitamin E is beneficial for improved immune function in the elderly. ... ...
☻ VITAMIN E DEFICIENCY IN THE MONKEY-PDF file
I. MUSCULAR DYs~oP~Y, I-Im~TOLOOIC CH~2~OES, AND Xm~ EXC~TION OF URINARY NITROGENOUS CONSTITueNTS* BY JAMES S. DINNING,$ P-.D., AND PAUL L. DAY, ProD.
(From the Department of Biockeraistry, School of Medicine, University o/Arkansas,
Little Rock)
(Received for publication, January 12, 1957)
Vitamin E has been shown to be required by a large number of species of animals (1). The most common deficiency signs are reproductive difficulties and degeneration of the skeletal muscle. The latter condition, referred to as nutritional muscular dystrophy (2), is especially prominent in vitamin E-deficient herbivorous animals. Prior to our recent brief papers (3-5) there had appeared no report of the development of clear cut vitamin E deficiency in the monkey. Mason and associates (6, 7) have reported the results of long term feeding of diets low in tocopherol to monkeys. Three animals, sacrificed after more than 2 years of feeding, exhibited skeletal muscle pathology which was considered to indicate vitamin E deficiency. Electrocardiographic changes were also observed in other monkeys fed the diet low in vitamin E but no other deficiency signs were observed. The present report describes experiments in which monkeys were fed a purified diet devoid of vitamin E. After from 6 to 13 months all the animals developed acute vitamin E deficiency. The signs of vitamin E deficiency in the monkey include muscular dystrophy; elevated urinary excretion of creatine, allantoin, and free amino acids; decreased urinary excretion of creatinine; anemia and granulocytosis. All these signs are reversed by treatment with alpha tocopherol.
☻ Synergistic effect of vitamin E and selenium in human prostate cancer cell lines-PDF file
V Venkateswaran1, NE Fleshner2 & LH Klotz
1Division of Urology, Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Science Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and 2Division of Urology, The Princess Margaret Hospital, Ontario, Canada
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2004) 7, 54–56. doi:10.1038/sj.pcan.4500707
Vitamin E and selenium are the two most popular dietary supplements used to prevent prostate cancer. The hypothesis that these antioxidants reduce prostate risk is being tested in the selenium and vitamin E chemoprevention trial (SELECT). We hypothesize that selenium potentiates vitamin E-induced inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth in vitro. Prostate cancer cell populations growing asynchronously were treated with a combination of vitamin E and selenium and processed for flow cytometric analysis. Prostate cancer cells treated with a combination of the antioxidants revealed that selenium potentiates vitamin Einduced inhibition of LNCaP cells in vitro. This was demonstrated by a reduction in the percentage of cells in the S phase. This crucial finding confirms our previous observations that antioxidant molecules act via distinct mechanistic pathways. These independent biological effects can be exploited in order to augment the anticancer properties of individual agents. These data also validate the two factorial design of the SELECT trial, permitting pairwise comparisons between agents in combination and alone.
Keywords: vitamin E; selenium; prostate cancer; prevention
☻ Tamoxifen and vitamin E treatments delay symptoms in the mouse model of Niemann-Pick C-PDF file
Eric C. Bascu_an-Castillo1, Robert P. Erickson2, Christy M. Howison1, Robert J. Hunter2, Randall H. Heidenreich2, Chad Hicks3, Theodore P. Trouard4, Robert J. Gillies2,4
1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, 2 Department of Pediatrics, 3 Optical Sciences Center, 4 Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
J. Appl. Genet. 45(4), 2004, pp. 461-467
Abstract. Niemann-Pick C disease (NPC) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder without current treatment. It is the result of deficient intracellular cholesterol movement. We investigated the effects of tamoxifen and vitamin E (D-alpha tocopherol) treatment on patterns of weight loss and motor function in the mouse model of Niemann-Pick C disease (Npc1-/- mice). Tamoxifen has multiple metabolic effects, including reducing oxidative damage, while vitamin E primarily has this property. Npc1-/- mice were identified and treatment was initiated at an approximate age of 21 days. Tamoxifen suspended in peanut oil was administered via intraperitoneal injection (weekly, at a dose calculated to deliver 0.023 ìg/g/day). Vitamin E (25 IU) was administered orally via gavage once a week. Weight loss and Rota-Rod performance were analyzed by using Kaplan-Meyer survival curves. Tamoxifen treatment by itself significantly delayed weight loss (an endpoint of neurodegeneration) in male and female mice compared to untreated controls. Motor function was evaluated by performance on a Rota-Rod. Tamoxifen maintained Rota-Rod performance for about an extra week. Vitamin E treatment significantly delayed weight loss in females only. Rota-Rod performance was maintained slightly longer in mice treated with vitamin E. Simultaneous use of both treatments did not delay weight loss longer than tamoxifen-only treatment but had a greater effect than either treatment alone on Rota-Rod performance and demonstrated a significant positive effect on the early “learning curve” portion of the Rota-Rod evaluations. We found significant but relatively small improvements in rate of disease progression by treating Npc1-/- mice with tamoxifen and/or vitamin E. Some sex differences in response and an early improvement in Rota-Rod performance suggest areas for further study.
Key words: mice, neurodegeneration, Niemann-Pick C, Rota-Rod, tamoxifen, vitamin E.
☻ The Antioxidant Effect of Vitamin E on Plant and Animal Tissues -PDF file
Lusha W. Liang
CALIFORNIA STATE SCIENCE FAIR 2004 PROJECT SUMMARY
Objectives/Goals
The objective of this experiment is to study the effectiveness of vitamin E on the reduction of oxidation of plant and animal tissues by an oxidizing solution in a controlled environment.
Methods/Materials
I soaked one rose petal in oxidizing solution (H(2)O(2)) and soaked another in oxidizing solution but stirred in water soluble vitamin E gels. A rose petal was also submerged in H(2)O, another in H2O with vitamin E, one in H(2)0 and starch, and the last in H(2)O(2) and starch. I then observed the damage of each rose petal underneath the microscope, took a picture, and estimated the percentage of damaged areas. The same was done for fresh salmon tissue. The color changes was measured quantitatively using the HSV color wheel.
Results
At most, the rose petal soaked in vitamin E and H(2)O(2) solution was 58.7% less damaged than the rose petal soaked in H(2)O(2) alone. The presence of vitamin E in an oxidized solution reduced the effect of H(2)O(2) by about 29% for the salmon fish tissues. The presence of starch also had an effect of reducing the amount of damage from the oxidizing solution.
Conclusions/Discussion
Since the human body is such a complicated system with an extremely large number of variables, scientists carrying out studies lasting a few years still have difficulty in isolating the antioxidant effects of Vitamin E. The results of my experiment demonstrate the effectiveness of Vitamin E as an antioxidant in an controlled environment. The rose petal submerged in the solution containing vitamin E and H(2)O(2) was less affected by H(2)O(2) than the rose petal submerged in H(2)O(2) only. Plant and animal tissues in a solution of starch and H(2)O(2) were less affected by oxidation than the plant and animal tissues without starch, but more damaged than the plant and animal tissues with vitamin E and H(2)O(2). Therefore, the properties of Vitamin E were a factor for less damage on the rose petals and salmon tissues. The majority of my hypothesis was proven. However, I understimated the effect that the presence of starch would have on reducing the effect of oxidation.
☻ Synergism between Dietary Vitamin E and Exogenous Phytic Acid in Prevention of Warmed-Over Flavour Development in Chicken Breast Meat, Pectoralis major M.-PDF file
Adriana Lourenço Soares1, Rubison Olivo2,3, Massami Shimokomaki1,3 and Elza Iouko Ida1*
1 Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos e Medicamentos; Centro de Ciências Agrárias; Universidade Estadual de Londrina; C. P.6001; 86051-970; Londrina - PR - Brazil. 2 Globalfood Sistemas, Ingredientes e Tecnologias para Alimentos; São Paulo - SP - Brazil. 3 Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas; Universidade de São Paulo; São
Paulo - SP - Brazil
ABSTRACT
The effect of α-tocopheryl acetate (AT) supplementation and exogenous application of this vitamin E associated with phytic acid (PA) on chicken breast meat WOF development was assessed. Control group was fed with 7.7IU of AT/kg of ration and supplemented group was fed with 200.0IU of AT/kg of ration. Dietary vitamin E as measured by TBARS inhibited WOF development by 78.9; 69.0; 60.7 and 46.5% (p<0.05) during storage at 6 °C for 0, 1, 3 and 5 days, respectively. This inhibition was significantly increased (p<0.05) by 86.1; 91.6; 92.9 and 95.3% during storage at 6 °C for 0, 1, 3 and 5 days, respectively, when 2mM PA was added in supplemented breast meat. In the exogenous experiment, through Response Surface Methodology design it was found out AT did not have a significant role towards oxidation inhibition whereas PA inhibited partially in samples stored for 48h at 6°C. The results showed that dietary AT inhibited at initial stage, subsequently PA would act at propagation phase occurring synergetic reaction between both antioxidants.
Key words: Warmed over flavour, vitamin E, phytic acid, lipid oxidation inhibition, response surface methodology, breast poultry meat
Harri Hemila¨ , MD, PhD; Jarmo Virtamo, MD, PhD; Demetrius Albanes, MD; and Jaakko Kaprio, MD, PhD
Background: Vitamin E and beta-carotene affect various measures of immune function and accordingly might influence the predisposition of humans to infections. However, only few controlled trials have tested this hypothesis.
Study objective: To examine whether vitamin E or beta-carotene supplementation affects the risk of pneumonia in a controlled trial.
Design and setting: The Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that examined the effects of vitamin E, 50 mg/d, and beta-carotene, 20 mg/d, on lung cancer using a 2 _ 2 factorial design. The trial was conducted in the general community in southwestern Finland in 1985 to 1993; the intervention lasted for 6.1 years (median). The hypothesis being tested in the present study was formulated after the trial was closed.
Participants: ATBC study cohort of 29,133 men aged 50 to 69 years, who smoked at least five cigarettes per day, at baseline.
Main outcome measure: The first occurrence of hospital-treated pneumonia was retrieved from the national hospital discharge register (898 cases).
Results: Vitamin E supplementation had no overall effect on the incidence of pneumonia (relative risk [RR], 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88 to 1.14) nor had _-carotene supplementation (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.11). Nevertheless, the age of smoking initiation was a highly significant modifying factor. Among subjects who had initiated smoking at a later age (> 21 years; n _ 7,469 with 196 pneumonia cases), vitamin E supplementation decreased the risk of pneumonia (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.86), whereas beta-carotene supplementation increased the risk (RR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.89).
Conclusions: Data from this large controlled trial suggest that vitamin E and beta-carotene supplementation have no overall effect on the risk of hospital-treated pneumonia in older male smokers, but our subgroup finding that vitamin E seemed to benefit subjects who initiated smoking at a later age warrants further investigation. (CHEST 2004; 125:557–565)
Key words: alcohol; alpha-tocopherol; antioxidants; body mass index; clinical trial; coffee; cohort study; communityacquired
pneumonia; diet; risk factors
Abbreviations: ATBC _ Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention; CI _ confidence interval; ICD _ International
Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries, and Causes of Death; OR _ odds ratio; RR _ relative risk
☻ Effects of vitamin E succinate on the expression of Fas and PCNA proteins in human gastric carcinoma cells and its clinical significance-PDF file
Kun Wu, Lan Zhao, Yao Li, Yu-Juan Shan, Li-Jie Wu, Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health,Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
World Journal of Gastroenterology 2004; 10(7): 945-949
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the effects of vitamin E succinate (VES) on the expression of Fas and PCNA proteins as well as its clinical significance in human gastric carcinoma, and to explore the mechanism of VES-induced inhibition of gastric carcinoma cell growth.
METHODS: Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect Fas and PCNA expression both in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells treated with VES at different doses and in human gastric carcinoma tissues.
RESULTS: After the SGC-7901 cells were treated with VES at 5, 10, 20 mg/L for 48 h, the positive rates of Fas expression were 16%, 27% and 48%, respectively, significantly increased compared to that of control group (P <0.05); while the positive rates of PCNA expression in groups treated with different doses of VES were 20%, 18% and 7%, respectively, which were significantly decreased compared to that of the control group (P<0.05). In human gastric carcinoma tissues, the Fas positive expression rate was 42.4%(25/59), which declined with the decrease in the degree of tumor differentiation (P<0.05) and with the existence of lymph node metastasis (P<0.001). While the PCNA positive expression rate was 91.5%(54/59), no relationship was observed between PCNA expression and clinicopathologic parameters.
CONCLUSION: VES inhibited the growth of gastric cancer cells by inducing Fas expression and inhibiting PCNA expression. It is, therefore, considered that the expression of Fas and PCNA genes, through tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation, respectively, may be useful as a clinical predictive index in the application of VES to gastric carcinoma therapy, where as Fas may be of more value than PCNA.
☻ Influence of parenteral administration of selenium and vitamin E during pregnancy on selected metabolic parameters and colostrums quality in dairy cows at parturition-PDF file
L. Pavlata, J. Prasek, J. Filipek, A..Pechova
Clinic of Diseases of Ruminants, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
Vet. Med. – Czech, 49, 2004 (5): 149–155
ABSTRACT: The aim of the present work was to study the influence of different dose of parenteral administration
selenium and vitamin E in dairy cows prior to parturition on selected metabolic parameters and colostrum quality.
A total of 19 dairy cows from a farm with selenium deficiency were included in the study. The cows were divided in
3 groups (C, E1, and E2). In group E1 a product containing selenium and vitamin E (Selevit inj. a.u.v.) was administered IM four weeks prior to the expected date of parturition. In group E2 the same product was administered twice, eight and four weeks prior to parturition. Group C consisted of control animals to which no product was administered. On the day of parturition samples of blood and first colostrum were collected for laboratory examination. Concentrations of selenium were determined in blood and that of vitamin E, thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and activities of enzymes detecting muscular damage (CK, AST, LD) were determined in serum. Colostrum was analyzed to determine the concentrations of selenium, vitamin E, immunoglobulin, as well as to determine its density. The occurrence of the disease during the first month aftter parturition was evaluated in all groups. Higher concentrations of selenium and vitamin E were found in the samples (experimental groups E1 and E2) collected on the day of parturition. Group E2 showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher T3 concentration compared to groups C and E1 (3.05 ± 0.42 nmol/l vs 1.88 ± 0.71 and 1.81 ± 0.30 nmol/l, respectively). The same pattern was confirmed for immunoglobulin concentrations in colostrum (34.08 ± 5.93 U ZST vs 22.87 ± 5.41 and 21.38 ± 8.33 U ZST, respectively). Compared to group C, cows in group E2 also showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of selenium in colostrum (45.43 ± 10.56 vs 29.29 ± 8.42 µg/l). The administration of selenium and vitamin E did not influence other parameters evaluated in the study. During the first 30 days of the postpartum period a trend of lower occurrence of mastitis was observed in group E2 compared to both group C and E1 (no case of mastitis compared to 5 and 4 cases of treated mastitis, respectively).
Keywords: cattle; immunoglobulins; thyroid hormones; T3; mastitis
☻ Is the Distribution of α-Tocopherol in Membranes Consistent with Its Putative Functions?-PDF file
P. J. Quinn Department of Life Sciences, King.s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NN, U. K.
Biochemistry (Moscow), Vol. 69, No. 1, 2004, pp. 58-66. Translated from Biokhimiya, Vol. 69, No. 1, 2004, pp. 74-84.
Abstract. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and stabilizer of membranes. Other functions of vitamin E unrelated to its effects on membranes are emerging. Vitamin E partitions into the lipid bilayer matrix of membranes. It orients perpendicularly to the plane of the membrane with the hydroxyl group pointing to the lipid. water interface. The vitamin is not randomly distributed in the plane of the membrane but tends to form clusters. These clusters appear to be composed of vitamin E and phosphatidylcholine in a stoichiometry of about one vitamin E per 10 phospholipid molecules. Vitamin E partitions into domains of phosphatidylcholine in model membranes formed from mixtures of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine irrespective of whether the phosphatidylcholine is in the fluid or gel phase. The creation of domains enriched in vitamin E in membranes is not consistent with an antioxidant function and effects on membrane structure and stability indicate other roles of the vitamin.
Key words: α-tocopherol, phospholipid. Vitamin E complexes, X-ray diffraction, membrane structure, lipid domains
☻ ILEAL MUCOSAL EFFECTS OF VITAMIN E IN EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED RABBITS WITH ENTEROPATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI O103-PDF file
TSALIE E.1, KALDRYMIDOY E.1, KOUZI K.2, POUTAHIDIS TH. 1, XYLOURI E.3, ILIADIS N.4,
SARRIS K.4, ABAS Z.5
1Lab. of Pathology, Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
2Lab. of Histology-Embryology, Medicine school, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
3Dep. of Anatomy & Physiology of Farm Animals, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
4Lab. or Microbiology, Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
5 Dep. Of Agricultural Development, Democritos Universtity of Thrace, Greece
ABSTACT
Vitamin E effect on intestinal mucosal lesions caused by E. coli infection, was examined. Sixty rabbits were challenged with the highly pathogenic strain E22 and additionally thirty of them daily administered 60 mg/kg b.w. of Vitamin E. The lesions were evaluated histologically and computer-aided morphometry was used for the following measurements: Total mucosal thickness, Villous height, Crypt depth, Villous height/crypt depth ratio, Mononuclear and Polymorphonuclear cells at the submucosa and mucosa (tip of the villous and base of the crypt). The morphometric analysis showed significant differences, indicating that vitamin E may have some beneficial effects against REPEC E22 intestinal infection.
Key words: E.coli, enteritis, vitamin E.
☻ C-Jun N-terminal kinase is required for vitamin E succinate-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells-PDF file
Kun Wu, Yan Zhao, Gui-Chang Li, Wei-Ping Yu
World Journal of Gastroenterology 2004;10(8):1110-1114
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the roles of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in vitamin E succinate-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.
METHODS: Human gastric cancer cell lines (SGC-7901) were treated with vitamin E succinate (VES) at 5, 10, 20 mg/L. Succinic acid and vitamin E were used as vehicle controls and condition medium only as an untreated (UT) control. Apoptosis was observed by 4’, 6-diamidine-2’-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining for morphological changes and by DNA fragmentation for biochemical alterations. Western blot analysis was applied to measure the expression of JNK and phosphorylated JNK. After the cells were transiently transfected with dominant negative mutant of JNK (DNJNK) followed by treatment of VES, the expression of JNK and c-Jun protein was determined.
RESULTS: The apoptotic changes were observed after VES treatment by DNA fragmentation. DNA ladder in the 20 mg/L VES group was more clearly seen than that in 10 mg/L VES group and was not detected following treatment of UT control, succinate and vitamin E. VES at 5, 10 and 20 mg/L increased the expression of p-JNK by 2.5-, 2.8- and 4.2-fold, respectively. VES induced the phosphorylation of JNK beginning at 1.5 h and produced a sustained increase for 24 h with the peak level at 12 h. Transient transfection of DN-JNK blocked VES-triggered apoptosis by 52%. DN-JNK significantly increased the level of JNK, while decreasing the expression of VES-induced c-Jun protein.
CONCLUSION: VES-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells involves JNK signaling pathway via c-Jun and its downstream transcription factor.
☻ Anti-atherosclerotic effects of vitamin E - myth or reality-PDF file
Adelina Munteanu, J.-M. Zingg, A. Azzi
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
J. Cell. Mol. Med. Vol 8, No 1, 2004 pp. 59-76
Abstract
Atherosclerosis and its complications such as coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and stroke are the leading causes of death in the developed world. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and a diet high in cholesterol and lipids clearly increase the likelihood of premature atherosclerosis, albeit other factors, such as the individual genetic makeup, may play an additional role. Several epidemiological studies and intervention trials have been performed with vitamin E, and some of them showed that it prevents atherosclerosis. For a long time, vitamin E was assumed to act by decreasing the oxidation of LDL, a key step in atherosclerosis initiation. However, at the cellular level, vitamin E acts by inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation, platelet aggregation, monocyte adhesion, oxLDL uptake and cytokine production, all reactions implied in the progression of atherosclerosis. Recent research revealed that these effects are not the result of the antioxidant activity of vitamin E, but rather of precise molecular actions of this compound. It is assumed that specific interactions of vitamin E with enzymes and proteins are at the basis of its non-antioxidant effects. Vitamin E influences the activity of several enzymes (e.g. PKC, PP2A, COX-2, 5-lipooxygenase, nitric oxide synthase, NADPH oxidase, superoxide dismutase, phopholipase A2) and modulates the expression of genes that are involved in atherosclerosis (e.g. scavenger receptors, integrins, selectins, cytokines, cyclins). These interactions promise to reveal the biological properties of vitamin E and allow designing better strategies for the protection against atherosclerosis progression.
Keywords: vitamin E; atherosclerosis; non-antioxidant; gene expression; signaling; transcription factors; tocopherol binding proteins; clinical trials
☻ Overseas advice on preventing SARS.-PDF file
Parco M. Siu, MPhil, PhD Candidate
West Virginia University School of Medicine
Antioxidant nutraceuticals: Antioxidants are chemicals found in foods which exert a great value in strengthening our
immune system. Boost up your immune function by taking a cocktail of antioxidant supplements.
Vitamin E 1000 IU per day. Alpha-tocopherol is the biological active form of vitamin E. There are two forms of it:
d-tocopherol and dl-tocopherol. d- is the natural form and dl- is the synthetic form. Tryo get the d- form because it is
absorbed faster in our body
☻ α-Tocopherol Induces Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor and Antagonizes Tumor Necrosis Factor-α–Mediated Downregulation in Human Smooth Muscle Cells-PDF file
Luis Villacorta,* Aurélio V. Graça-Souza,* Roberta Ricciarelli,* Jean-Marc Zingg, Angelo Azzi
Circulation Research January 10/24, 2003
Abstract—The effect of α-tocopherol treatment on gene expression in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells was analyzed by gene expression arrays. The expression of the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene was induced by α-tocopherol 1.8-fold in gene array experiments, and similar results were also obtained by RT-PCR (1.7-fold) and at the protein level (1.4-fold). The antioxidants β-tocopherol and N-acetylcysteine did not induce CTGF gene expression, suggesting a nonantioxidant mechanism for α-tocopherol action. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition by α-tocopherol has been previously described. However, PKC down regulation did not prevent CTGF induction by α-tocopherol, and inhibition of PKC activity with several inhibitors did not increase its expression, suggesting an alternative pathway for the α-tocopherol effect. On the other hand, tumor necrosis factor-α reduced the expression of CTGF, an effect that was reversed by antioxidants. The data suggest that tumor necrosis factor-α inhibition of CTGF gene expression is prevented in an antioxidant-sensitive process and that α-tocopherol increases CTGF expression by a PKC-independent, nonantioxidant mechanism. Because CTGF stimulates the synthesis of extracellular matrix, the normalization of CTGF gene expression by α-tocopherol may accelerate wound repair and tissue regeneration during atherosclerosis.
Key Words: connective tissue growth factor; gene expression regulation; okadaic acid n protein kinase C; α-tocopherol; tumor necrosis factor-α
☻ Vitamin E and its effect on arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women – a randomized controlled trial-PDF file
A.H.G. Rasool1, A. Rehman2, W.N. Wan Yusuf1 and A.R.A. Rahman3
1School of Medical Sciences, 2School of Dental Sciences, and 3Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
In ter na tional Jour nal of Clin i cal Phar ma col ogy and Ther a peu tics, Vol. 41 – No. 12/2003 (587-592)
☻ The effect of vitamin E supplementation on discoloration of injection-site lesions in retail cuts and the greening reaction observed in injection-site lesions in muscles of the chuck1-PDF file
D. L. Roeber*2, K. E. Belk*3, T. E. Engle*, T. G. Field*, S. R. Koontz†, J. A. Scanga*, J. D. Tatum*, G. L. Mason‡, D. Van Metre§, F. B. Garry§, and G. C. Smith*
*Department of Animal Sciences; †Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics; ‡Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology; and §Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523-1171
J. Anim. Sci. 2003. 81:1885–1894
ABSTRACT: Concern has been raised about green discoloration of injection-site lesions in chuck muscles in modified-atmosphere packages. Objectives were: 1)to recreate green lesions, 2) to compare the severity of discoloration of injection-site lesions in chucks from carcasses of control or vitamin E-supplemented steers, and 3) to identify pigment(s) responsible for discoloration via in vitro color reactions. In Exp. 1, 23 steers (BW = 415 kg; 37 d before harvest) were injected with one of 12 pharmaceuticals, following label directions for route and dose, with the exception of a 5-mL maximum dose, to identify a product that could result in discoloration. Two vaccines (Products A and B) resulted in greening. In Exp. 2, 50 steers were injected (i.m.) with Product A and assigned to the control or vitamin E (1,000 IU/steer daily for 60 d) group. After retail display, 80 and 72% of steaks from the control and treatment groups, respectively, were discolored. Although vitamin E did not reduce (P = 0.53) greening, there was a trend (P = 0.10) toward delay discoloration of lesions from the treatment group. In Phase I of Exp. 3, pigments extracted from green lesions obtained from Exp. 2 were compared with solutions, exposed to a high partial pressure of oxygen (ppO), of myoglobin (Mb), copper sulfate, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), vaccine, and aluminum hydroxide either alone or in combination. In Phase II of Exp. 3, solutions of two or more of Mb, Cu, sodium sulfide, sodium sulfite, sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), and H2O2 were made at pH 7.2 or 5.5 and exposed to low or high ppO. Normal muscle tissue displayed a 3.2 and 56.7% decrease in absorbance/μg of protein as wavelength changed from 654 to 656 nm and 656 to 658nm, respectively. Pigments from control and treatment group green tissue displayed a 164.5 and 621.3% increase, respectively, in absorbance/μg of protein as wavelength changed from 654 to 656 nm. As wavelength changed from 656 to 658 nm, the absorbance/μg of protein for control and treatment group lesions decreased by 75 and 109%, respectively. The Mb+Cu+Na2SO4 solution, at pH 5.5 and high ppO, exhibited similar absorbance trends as green lesions indicating that greening may result from a Mb, Cu, and Na2SO4 interaction. Results indicated that greening varies with pharmaceuticals and oxidation of tissue cannot be controlled with vitamin E supplementation. Research on the causative agents of green discoloration, with an emphasis on compounds containing sulfate or Cu, is needed.
Key Words: Discoloration, Intramuscular Injection, Muscle Tissue, Subcutaneous Injection, Vitamin E
☻ VITAMIN E STATUS OF THE WEANED PIG AS A RISK FACTOR FOR DYING OF PMWS-PDF file
4th International Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases – Rome June 29th – July 2nd, 2003 220
P. Bækbo1, A-G. Hassing1, P. Olsen1, B. Lorenzen1, C. Lauridsen2
1 The National Committee for Pig Production, DANISH BACON & MEAT COUNCIL, Denmark
2Danish Institute of Agricultural Science, Foulum, Denmark.
Keywords: Vitamin E, mortality, PMWS
☻ Vegetable Oils Used as Vitamin E Vehicle Affect the Electrical Activity of the Rat Heart-PDF file
S. OZDEMIR, M. AYAZ, T. TUNCER, M. UGUR, B. TURAN
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
Physiol. Res. 52: 767-771, 2003
Summary
The aim of this study is to define the possible effects of vegetable oils used as vitamin E vehicle on the electrical activity of the rat heart. To test the possible effects of vitamin E vehicles we studied the effect of i.p. injected corn oil, hazelnut oil or peanut oil on the action potential parameters recorded in both papillary and left atrial muscle strips. Four experimental groups were used. The control group was injected (i.p.) with distilled water, while the three remaining groups received injections of corn oil, hazelnut oil, or peanut oil for five weeks (in a dose of 0.4 ml/kg/day . minimum amount of oil in which vitamin E could be dissolved). We used borosilicated (15-20 MΩ) capillary electrodes and intracellular action potentials (AP) were recorded in isolated papillary and left atrium muscle strips. While administration of three different types of vegetable oil had no significant effect on AP parameters of papillary muscle, they significantly prolonged the repolarization phase of AP in atrial strips. These results show that vegetable oils used as vitamin E vehicles may alter the electrical activity of the heart in a tissue-dependent manner. The present data indicate that the possible effect of vegetable oil vehicles should be kept in mind while evaluating the possible effects of in vivo vitamin E administration.
Key words
Action potential Vitamin E Corn oil Peanut oil Hazelnut oil Papillary muscle Atrial muscle Repolarization
☻ Effect of Alpha Tocopherol on the Growth Plate in Albino rats-PDF file
Abhaya, A., Khatri, K., Pradhan, S. and Prakash, R.
Department of Anatomy, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital, Shahdra, Delhi. INDIA.
J. Anat. Soc. India 52(1) 58-63 (2003)
Abstract. — Alpha tocopherol is the most biologically active stereoisomer of vitamin E and recent investigations suggest that vitamin E is important for bone mineralization and normal endochondral ossification. Thirty Albino rats (8-20 days) included in the study were divided into three groups. Experimental group C was given tocopherol (90mg/Kg body weight) daily, orally for 12 days. Group B was treated with equal amount of arachis oil (vehicle) daily for 12 days while group A animals were kept untreated. On 20th day animals were sacrificed and 6m thick longitudinal sections of decalcified radius were stained for light microscopy. Growth plate was differentiated into resting, proliferative, hypertrophic zone I and hypertrophic zone II. Morphometric observations were recorded at the central and lateral regions of the growth plate. The height (vertical thickness) of growth plate showed a statistically significant increase in the central region (P = 0.000). The zonal thickness of hypertrophic zone I also increased in central region (P = 0.004) while the zonal thickness of hypertrophic zone II showed a significant increase in the lateral region (P=0.040). Cell population of hypertrophic zone I increased significantly in central (P=0.000) and lateral region (P =0.002) while the cell population of hypertrophic zone II decreased significantly in central (P=0.000) as well as lateral region (P=0.011). The number of cell columns decreased significantly (P= 0.028) in hypertrophic zone II. Intense matrix metachromasia was seen in vitamin E treated animals. These results suggest that vitamin E promotes mineral apposition, multiplication and maturation of chondrocytes and thereby may enhance longitudinal bone growth.
Key words : Alpha Tocopherol, Growth Plate, Radius, Rat
☻ EFFECT OF VITAMIN E ON THEIMPAIRED GASTROINTESTINALACTIVITY OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS-PDF file
S. BIJENDER*, D. HARISH*, S. RISHI**,B.M. PATIL***
*Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, M.D.University, Rohtak-124 001.
**B.M.N. Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences andResearch, Asthal Bohar, Rohtak-124 001.
***Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,K.L.E's College of Pharmacy, Belgaum-590 010
Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2003; 35: 186-187
☻ Molecular Basis of Vitamin E Action-PDF file
TOCOTRIENOL MODULATES 12-LIPOXYGENASE, A KEY MEDIATOR OF GLUTAMATE-INDUCED NEURODEGENERATION*□S
Savita Khanna‡, Sashwati Roy‡, Hoon Ryu§, Praveen Bahadduri¶, Peter W. Swaan¶,
Rajiv R. Ratan§, and Chandan K. Sen‡
From the ‡Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Surgery, and the ¶Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Core Laboratory, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Medical Center,
Columbus, Ohio 43210 and the §Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, and the Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY Vol. 278, No. 44, Issue of October 31, pp. 43508–43515, 2003
Vitamin E is a generic term for tocopherols and tocotrienols. This work is based on our striking evidence that, in neuronal cells, nanomolar concentrations of α-tocotrienol, but not α-tocopherol, block glutamate-induced death by suppressing early activation of c-Src kinase (Sen, C. K., Khanna, S., Roy, S., and Packer, L. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 13049–13055). This study on HT4 and immature primary cortical neurons suggests a central role of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) in executing glutamate-induced neurodegeneration. BL15, an inhibitor of 12-LOX, prevented glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Moreover, neurons isolated from 12-LOX-deficient mice were observed to be resistant to glutamate-induced death. In the presence of nanomolar α-tocotrienol, neurons were resistant to glutamate-, homocysteine-, and L-buthionine sulfoximine-induced toxicity. Long-term time-lapse imaging studies revealed that neurons and their axo-dendritic network are fairly motile under standard culture conditions. Such motility was arrested in response to glutamate challenge. Tocotrienol- treated primary neurons maintained healthy growth and motility even in the presence of excess glutamate. The study of 12-LOX activity and metabolism revealed that this key mediator of glutamate-induced neurodegeneration is subject to control by the nutrient α-tocotrienol. In silico docking studies indicated that α-tocotrienol may hinder the access of arachidonic acid to the catalytic site of 12-LOX by binding to the opening of a solvent cavity close to the active site. These findings lend further support to α-tocotrienol as a potent neuroprotective form of vitamin E.
☻ pH-dependent translocation of α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP) between hepatic cytosol and late endosomes-PDF file
Masakuni Horiguchi1,2, Makoto Arita1, Daisy E. Kaempf-Rotzoll1, Masafumi Tsujimoto2,Keizo Inoue3 and Hiroyuki Arai1,*
1 Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
2 Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, RIKEN (the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), Saitama, Japan
3 Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Kanagawa, Japan
Abstract
Background: α-Tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP), a member of the Sec14 protein family, plays an important role in transporting α-tocopherol, a major lipidsoluble anti-oxidant, in the cytosolic compartment of hepatocytes and is known as a product of the causative gene for familial isolated vitamin E deficiency. It has been shown that the secretion of hepatocyte α-tocopherol taken up with plasma lipoproteins is facilitated by α-TTP. To explore the mechanism of α-TTP mediated α-tocopherol secretion, we investigated drugs which may affect this secretion.
Results: We found that, in a hepatocyte cell culture system, intracellular α-tocopherol transport is impaired by chloroquine, an agent known for its function of elevating the pH in acidic compartments. Under chloroquine treatment, the diffuse cytosolic distribution of α-TTP changes to a punctate pattern. Doublestaining experiments with endocytosis markers revealed that α-TTP accumulates transiently on the cytoplasmic surface of late endosomal membranes. This phenomenon is specific for hepatoma cell lines or primarily cultured hepatocytes. Other members of the Sec14 family, such as cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) and supernatant protein factor (SPF), do not show this accumulation. Furthermore, we elucidate that the obligatory amino acid sequence for this function is located between amino acids 21 and 50, upstream of the N-terminal end of the lipidbinding domain.
Conclusion: We hypothesize that a liver-specific target molecule for α-TTP exists on the late endosomal membrane surface. This transient binding may explain the mechanism of how α-tocopherol is transferred from late endosomes to cytosolic α-TTP.
☻ The Effects of Fenthion on Lipid Peroxidation and Some Liver Enzymes: The Possible Protective Role of Vitamins E and C-PDF file
Ürfan ALTUNTAÞ NamÝk DELÜBAÞ
Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, S.leyman Demirel University, Isparta – Turkey
Turk J Med Sci 32 (2002) 293-297
Abstract: The effects of fenthion on the serum activities of cholinesterase (ChE), enzymes concerning liver damage and lipid peroxidation (LPO), and the ameliorating effects of a combination of vitamins E and C against fenthion toxicity were investigated. The results of the in vivo experiment showed that fenthion caused a significant increase in LPO and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a significant decrease in the activities of ChE and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). In addition, treatment with a combination of vitamins E and C led to a significant decrease in LPO and AST activity. In the in vitro experiment, the activity of ChE and ALT were inhibited by fenthion. From these results, it can be concluded that fenthion caused liver damage, and LPO may be one of the molecular mechanisms involved in fenthion-induced toxicity. Vitamins E and C can reduce LPO caused by fenthion.
Key Words: Fenthion, liver, lipid peroxidation, vitamin E, vitamin C
☻ α-TOCOPHEROL IN MICE ILEUM EXPOSED TO GAMMA RADIATION: PROTECTION AGAINST APOPTOSIS-PDF file
1França, J.P.; 1Moraes A.A.F.S.; 2Trindade, E.S.; 3Segreto, H.R.C.; 1Paredes-Gamero, E.J.; 1Oshiro, M.E. M.; 1Nunes, R.O.; Aguilar, M.O.; 3*Pedroso, M.Z.; 4Silva, M.R.R.; 5Egami, M.I.; 2Nader, H.B. and 1Ferreira, A.T.
Departments of 1Biophysics; 2Biochemistry; 3Medicine; 4Pathology Anatomy and 5Morphology. UNIFESP/EPM, 04041-990, São Paulo- SP-Brazil.
*Centro Universitário São Camilo, 04263-200, São Paulo- SP - Brazil
Ionizing radiation is largely used in the research, in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, mainly in neoplasias. The syndrome of radiation leads to diarrhea, hemorrhage, increase of intracranial pressure and it mainly occurs by alterations and death of intestine, bone marrow and neuronal cells. Further studies are necessary in order to understand its interactions at cellular level and mechanism the radioprotection by α-tocoferol in cells intestinal [1]. The radiation interacts with lipids and proteins of the cell. The radioinduced alterations in the cellular membrane components have important consequences for the cellular functions [2-3].
☻ The selenium and vitamin E cancer prevention trial-PDF file
Eric A. Kleina,*, Ian M. Thompsonb, Scott M. Lippmanc, Phyllis J. Goodmand, Demetrius Albanese, Philip R. Taylore, Charles Coltmanf
a Section of Urologic Oncology, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA b Division of Urology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX, USA c Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA d Southwest Oncology Group Statistical Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA e Cancer Prevention Studies Branch, Division of Clinical Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Washington, DC, USA f Southwest Oncology Group, San Antonio, TX, USA
Abstract
Purpose: Growing evidence suggests that both selenium and vitamin E may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. SELECT is a randomized, prospective, double-blind study designed to determine if selenium and vitamin E can reduce the risk of prostate cancer among healthy men. Materials and methods: The preclinical and epidemiologic evidence regarding chemoprevention with selenium and vitamin E were reviewed. Secondary analyses from randomized trials of both agents were included in the analysis. Data from these analyses as well as evidence from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial were used to develop the schema of SELECT. Results: Preclinical, epidemiologic, and Phase III data suggest that both selenium and vitamin E have potential efficacy in prostate cancer prevention. The experience of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial and the rapid accrual of SELECT during its first year demonstrate the interest and dedication of healthy men to long-term studies of cancer prevention. A total of 32,400 men are planned to be randomized in SELECT. Conclusions: SELECT is the second large-scale study of chemoprevention for prostate cancer. Enrollment began in 2001 with final results anticipated in 2013. © 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Prostate cancer; Chemoprevention; Selenium; Vitamin E
☻ Alpha-Tocopherol Supplementation in Healthy Individuals Reduces Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation but Not Atherosclerosis The Vitamin E Atherosclerosis Prevention Study (VEAPS)-PDF file
Howard N. Hodis, MD; Wendy J. Mack et al
Circulation September 17, 2002;106:1453-1459
Background—Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between vitamin E intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. In contrast, randomized controlled trials have reported conflicting results as to whether vitamin E supplementation reduces atherosclerosis progression and CVD events. Methods and Results—The study population consisted of men and women ≥40 years old with an LDL cholesterol level ≥3.37 mmol/L (130 mg/dL) and no clinical signs or symptoms of CVD. Eligible participants were randomized to DL-α-tocopherol 400 IU per day or placebo and followed every 3 months for an average of 3 years. The primary trial end point was the rate of change in the common carotid artery far-wall intima-media thickness (IMT) assessed by computer image–processed B-mode ultrasonograms. A mixed effects model using all determinations of IMT was used to test the hypothesis of treatment differences in IMT change rates. Compared with placebo, α-tocopherol supplementation significantly raised plasma vitamin E levels (P,0.0001), reduced circulating oxidized LDL (P50.03), and reduced LDL oxidative susceptibility (P,0.01). However, vitamin E supplementation did not reduce the progression of IMT over a 3-year period compared with subjects randomized to placebo. Conclusions—The results are consistent with previous randomized controlled trials and extend the null results of vitamin E supplementation to the progression of IMT in healthy men and women at low risk for CVD.
Key Words: coronary disease; atherosclerosis; antioxidants; trials
☻ The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)-PDF file
SOUTHWEST ONCOLOGY GROUP STATISTICAL CENTER JULY 2002
Overview
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) (S0000) is a Phase III, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial to prevent prostate cancer. SELECT will accrue 32,400 healthy men, ages 55 years and older (African American men ages 50 years and older). It is planned that 20% (6,480) of the study participants will be African American. The efficacy of selenium and vitamin E, as single agents and in combination, on reduction of prostate cancer incidence, will be tested in a statistically highly powered 2 x 2 factorial trial design. The total study period is 14 years, including 1 year pre-study for ramp-up to accrual (completed), 5 years for accrual, 7 to 12 years of treatment, and 1 year post-study for analyses and publication of results. Participants will be followed twice per
year (four times in the first year after randomization) to monitor general health, prostate health, and adherence to the study supplements.
☻ Tocopherol (vitamin E) content in invasive browse species on underutilized Appalachian farmland-PDF file
By Gabriel Wilmoth Thesis submitted to the faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biochemistry J. L. Hess, Chair J. G. Foster E. M. Gregory A. O. Abaye May, 2000 Blacksburg, VA
(Abstract)
The tocopherol (Vitamin E) content of forage from three invasive shrub species was measured to assess the value of the shrubs as a source of vitamin E for goats browsing on overgrown Appalachian pastures. Plant leaf clusters were collected from multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora Thunb.), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.), and Morrow’s honeysuckle (Lonicera morowii Gray) in replicated plots at a site in southern West Virginia during the 1999 growing season. Alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol were extracted with hexane, separated by high performance liquid chromatography on a normal-phase diol column, and quantified. Significant differences (P<0.001) in concentration were found among species for all forms of tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol predominated, accounting for more than 90% of the total tocopherols in all three species. Alpha-tocopherol levels increased in all species with maturity; however, the magnitude of the increase was not the same in all species. At the end of the growing season, autumn olive had the highest levels of alpha-tocopherol (1270 ± 55 ppm dry matter [DM]), followed by Morrow’s honeysuckle (840 ± 55 ppm DM), and multiflora rose (610 ± 55 ppm DM). Goats grazing on mature browse may obtain adequate intake of vitamin E. High nutritive value and/or low concentrations of antiquality factors may not coincide with the high levels of vitamin E found in mature tissue, and the actual vitamin E intake will depend on the feeding behavior of the goat.
☻ Cardiovascular Aging Is Associated With Vitamin E Increase-PDF file
Bernd van der Loo, MD; Ralf Labugger, MSc; Claude P. Aebischer, PhD; Jeremy N. Skepper, PhD; Markus Bachschmid, MSc; Volker Spitzer, PhD; Juliane Kilo, MD; Lukas Altwegg, MD; Volker Ullrich, PhD; Thomas F. Lüscher, MD, FRC
Circulation April 9, 2002(Circulation. 2002;105:1635-1638.)
Background: Aging is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, therapies to delay vascular aging may have enormous medical consequences. In this context, vitamin E is of particular interest, mainly because of its antioxidative properties. Methods and Results: In 3-year-old rats, which are not susceptible to atherosclerosis, vitamin E levels, as measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, were markedly increased both in plasma and in major organs (P,0.01 to P,0.0001). The highest increase (at least 70-fold) was found in the aortic wall. Conclusions: This unexpected accumulation of vitamin E appears to be a compensatory mechanism that attempts to counterbalance age-associated oxidative stress and that may represent a self-regulatory protective adaptation.
Key Words: aging; cardiovascular diseases; vitamin E; antioxidative defense
☻ Comparing β-Carotene, Vitamin E and Nitric Oxide as Membrane Antioxidants-PDF file
Freya Q. Schafer*, Hong P. Wang, Eric E. Kelley,Kate L. Cueno, Sean M. Martin and Garry R. Buettner
Biol. Chem., Vol. 383, pp. 671 – 681, March /April 2002
Singlet oxygen initiates lipid peroxidation via a nonfree radical mechanism by reacting directly with unsaturated lipids to form lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs). These LOOHs can initiate free radical chain reactions leading to membrane leakage and cell death. Here we compare the ability and mechanism by which three small-molecule membrane antioxidants (β-carotene, β-tocopherol and nitric oxide) inhibit lipid peroxidation in membranes. We demonstrate that β-carotene provides protection against singlet oxygen-mediated lipid peroxidation, but does not slow free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation. β-Tocopherol does not protect cells from singlet oxygen, but does inhibit free radical formation in cell membranes. Nitric oxide provides no direct protection against singlet oxygen exposure, but is an exceptional chain-breaking antioxidant as evident from its ability to blunt oxygen consumption during free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation. These three small molecule antioxidants appear to have complementary mechanisms for the protection of cell membranes from detrimental oxidations.
Key words: Antioxidants; β-Carotene; Free radicals; Lipid peroxidation; Nitric oxide; Singlet oxygen; Tocopherol; Vitamin E.
☻ Oxidized lipid accumulates in the presence of α-tocopherol in atherosclerosis-PDF file
Joanne M. UPSTON*, Andrew C. TERENTIS*, Kathryn MORRIS*, John F. KEANEY, JR. and Roland STOCKER*1
*Biochemistry Group, The Heart Research Institute, 145 Missenden Road, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia, and .Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute,Evans Memorial Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02 118, U.S.A.
Biochem. J. (2002) 363, 753-760
Oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins in the arterial wall is a key feature of atherogenesis and widely believed to cause and/or accelerate lesion development. Linked to this is the expectation that vascular antioxidants are depleted during oxidation in .i.o. However, whether α-tocopherol (vitamin E), an important lipid-soluble antioxidant, is depleted early in atherogenesis and can prevent lipid peroxidation in .i.o is unresolved. To address this we examined the content of specific con-figurational isomers (cis/trans) of lipid hydro(pero)xides in lesions, which represent the major non-enzymic oxidation products, as formation and accumulation of cis/trans isomers is influenced by α-tocopherol in studies in .itro. Concordant with our previous findings that large amounts of oxidized lipid coexist with relatively normal α-tocopherol levels in human lesions, we now show that cis/trans isomers predominate over other products in human carotid and aortic lesions and in lesion lipoproteins. Further, dietary vitamin E supplementation of rabbits after arterial injury significantly increases both the aortic levels of α-tocopherol and the overall content of cis/trans isomers. These data are fully consistent with α-tocopherol acting as a hydrogen donor during lipid oxidation in .i.o and suggest that α-tocopherol does not prevent lipoprotein lipid oxidation in the diseased vessel wall.
Key words: hydroxylinoleate, lipid oxidation, lipoprotein, stereo isomer, vitamin E.
☻ Vitamin E in cardiovascular disease: has the die been cast?-PDF file
Khalid Yusoff FRCPE, FRCP, FACC
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr (2002) 11(Suppl): S443–S447
Cardiovascular disease, in particular coronary artery disease (CAD), remains the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries and, in the near future, more so in the developing world. Atherosclerotic plaque formation is the underlying basis for CAD. Growth of the plaque leads to coronary stenosis, causing a progressive decrease in blood flow that results in angina pectoris. Acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina were recently recognised as related to plaque rupture, not progressive coronary stenosis. Acute thrombus formation causes an abrupt coronary occlusion. The characteristics of the fibrin cap, contents of the plaque, rheological factors and active inflammation within the plaque contribute to plaque rupture. Oxidative processes are important in plaque formation. Oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL) but not unoxidized LDL is engulfed by resident intimal macrophages, transforming them into foam cells which develop into fatty streaks, the precursors of the atherosclerotic plaque. Inflammation is important both in plaque formation and rupture. Animal studies have shown that antioxidants reduce plaque formation and lead to plaque stabilization. In humans, high intakes of antioxidants are associated with lower incidence of CAD, despite high serum cholesterol levels. This observation suggests a role for inflammation in CAD and that reducing inflammation using antioxidants may ameliorate these processes. Men and women with high intakes of vitamin E were found to have less CAD. Vitamin E supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events in the incidence of recurrent myocardial infarction. In the hierarchy of evidence in evidence-based medicine, data from large placebo-controlled clinical trials is considered necessary. Results from various mega-trials have not shown benefits (nor adverse effects) conferred by vitamin E supplementation, suggesting that vitamin E has no role in the treatment of CAD. These results do not seem to confirm, at the clinical level, the effect of antioxidants against active inflammation during plaque rupture. However, a closer examination of these studies showed a number of limitations, rendering them inconclusive in addressing the role of vitamin E in CAD prevention and treatment. Further studies that specifically address the issue of vitamin E in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and in the treatment of CAD need be performed. These studies should use the more potent antioxidant property of α- tocopherol vitamin E.
Key words: Antioxidants, cardiovascular disease, vitamin E.
☻ Vitamin E may ward off Parkinson's-PDF file
BBC News Online Monday, 21 October, 2002, 23:31 GMT 00:31 UK
☻ Vitamin E Reduces Risk of Heart Disease in Men-PDF file
Two major studies in epidemiology found out the role of vitamin E in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in men. Men who had been taking at least 100 IU of vitamin E per day for at least two years will have a lower risk for coronary heart disease, compared with those men who did not take the supplements. Dr. Eric B. Rimm of Harvard Medical School, Boston said the supplementation with vitamin E lowers coronary heart disease risks, and the decrease is greater in those without preexisting risk factors.
Compared with men who did not take vitamin E supplements, the relative risk of myocardial infarction for vitamin E supplement users were 0.93 among those with diagnosed hypercholesterolemia, 0.88 among those with hypertension and 0.74 among men with normal lipid levels and normal blood pressure.
Another study by Lydia A. Bazzano of Tulane University in New Orleans and her colleagues found out that compared with subjects with the lowest vitamin E intake (3mg or less per day), those with the highest intakes – a median of 17.5mg per day – had relative risks of 0.89 for all coronary events, 0.69 for fatal coronary events, and 0.85 for fatal cerebrovascular events.
SOURCE: Family Practice News, April 15, 2001
☻ EFFECT OF VITAMIN E, VITAMIN C AND SPIRULINA ON THE LEVELS OFMEMBRANE BOUND ENZYMES AND LIPIDS IN SOME ORGANS OF RATSEXPOSED TO LEAD-PDF file
C.D. UPASANI, R. BALARAMAN
Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Technology & Engineering, The M.S. University of Baroda,Kalabhavan, Baroda-390 001.
SUMMARY
Objectives: To study the effect of lead alone and its combination with vitamin E, vitamin C and spirulinaon the levels of membrane bound enzymes and lipids in some organs of rats. Methods: Lead acetate (100ppm) alone and its combinations with vitamin E, vitamin C or spirulina were fed to the rats for thirty days. Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca++-ATPase, Mg++-ATPase were estimated in liver and kidney of rats. Similarly the tissue lipids (Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Phospholipids) were also measured in the liver, lung, heart and kidney of rats. Results: Lead acetate significantly (p<0.001) inhibited the levels of membrane bound enzymes in the liver and kidney of rats. Further, there was a significant (p<0.001) increase in the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid in the liver, lung, heart and kidney of animals exposed to lead. Simultaneous administration of vitamin E (50 IU/kg), vitamin C (800 mg/kg) or spirulina (1500 mg/kg) along with lead restored the levels of membrane bound enzymes as well as the lipids in the animal tissues to normal levels. Conclusion: It is concluded that vitamin E, C or spirulina had a significant antioxidant activity thereby protecting the organs from the lead-induced toxicity.
KEY WORDS: Lead, vitamin E, vitamin C, spirulina, ATPases, lipids
☻ Vitamin E: murine studies versus clinical trials-PDF file
Domenico Praticò
Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Vitamin E is the most effective lipid-soluble antioxidant present in mammalian cells. The hypothesis that links vitamin E to atherogenesis postulates that oxidative modifications of unsaturated fatty acids in the low-density lipoprotein particles play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of this chronic disease. Therefore, vitamin E supplementation should reduce the extent of oxidation and, thus, be protective against atherosclerosis.
This hypothesis is strongly supported by studies in murine models of atherosclerosis. In contrast, clinical trials using this vitamin have been giving a more confused picture than expected, with results ranging from a significant protective action to the absence of any effect. However, these findings do not reduce the validity of the “oxidative hypothesis” and of the large body of experimental evidence accumulated so far in its favor. Several differences between animal studies and clinical trials, and among clinical trials themselves are taken into account in order to explain the conflicting findings. Finally, insights into what might be the most appropriate nature of future trials in humans are given. (Ital Heart J 2001; 2 (12): 878-881)
Key words: Human atherosclerosis; Murine atherosclerosis; Oxidative stress; Vitamin E.
☻ Vitamin E for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Heart Disease-PDF file
By Matthew Sorrentino,MD, FACC
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF MORBIDITY and mortality in this country. Prevention of heart disease has focused on the recognition and treatment of classic and emerging risk factors that have been linked to the development of atherosclerotic disease and its complications. There is growing evidence suggesting that oxidative stress may play a role in the initial steps of atherosclerosis, and also may contribute to development of an unstable plaque. Antioxidant therapies may be useful in preventing both the initiation of atherosclerotic disease and its complications.
☻ Effects of Long-Terma α-Tocopherol Supplementation on Serum Hormones in Older Men-PDF file
Hartman et al Department of Nutrition, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
The Prostate 46:33-38 (2001)
BACKGROUND. α-tocopherol supplementation significantly reduced risk of prostate cancer in the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study. Sex hormones are thought to be involved in the etiology of prostate cancer. We examined whether long-term supplementation with α-tocopherol modified serum hormone levels. METHODS. Men who were cancer-free consumed _90% of the study capsules, and who had both baseline and follow-up blood available, were eligible for the study. One hundred men
who received α-tocopherol were matched on age, study center, and length of time between blood draws to 100 men who received a placebo. Multivariate linear regression models which allowed for a separate intercept for each matched pair were used to evaluate the effect of α-tocopherol supplementation on follow-up hormone concentrations. RESULTS. Compared to men who received a placebo, we found significantly lower serum androstenedione (P.0.04) and testosterone (P.0.04) concentrations among men who received α-tocopherol, after controlling for baseline hormone level, follow-up serum cholesterol concentration, body mass index, smoking, and fasting time. Geometric mean (95% confidence interval; CI) androstenedione concentration among men who received α-tocopherol was 145 ng/dl (CI, 137±153) after adjusting for covariates, compared to 158 ng/dl (CI, 148±167) among men who received a placebo. Mean testosterone concentrations for men who received α-tocopherol and placebo were 539 (CI, 517±562) and 573 (CI, 549±598) ng/dl, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. These results suggest that long-term α-tocopherol supplementation decreases serum androgen concentrations, and could have been one of the factors contributing to the observed reduction in incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in the α-tocopherol treatment group of the ATBC Study.
KEY WORDS: vitamin E; sex hormones; vitamin supplements
☻ Effects of vitamin E and α-lipoic acid on skeletal muscle contractile properties-PDF file
JEFF S. COOMBES,1 SCOTT K. POWERS,1 BENJAMIN ROWELL,1 KARYN L. HAMILTON,1 STEPHEN L. DODD,1 R. ANDREW SHANELY,1 CHANDAN K. SEN,2,3 AND LESTER PACKER2
1Center for Exercise Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611; 2Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720; and
3Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland 70211
Received 1 September 2000; accepted in final form 16 November 2000
J Appl Physiol 90: 1424–1430, 2001.
Coombes, Jeff S., Scott K. Powers, Benjamin Rowell, Karyn L. Hamilton, Stephen L. Dodd, R. Andrew Shanely, Chandan K. Sen, and Lester Packer. Effects of vitamin E and α-lipoic acid on skeletal muscle contractile properties. J Appl Physiol 90: 1424–1430, 2001.—Initial experiments were conducted using an in situ rat tibia is anterior (TA) muscle preparation to assess the influence of dietary antioxidants on muscle contractile properties. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two dietary groups: 1) control diet (Con) and 2) supplemented with vitamin E (VE) and α-lipoic acid (a-LA) (Antiox). Antiox rats were fed the Con rats’ diet (AIN-93M) with an additional 10,000 IU VE/kg diet and 1.65 g/kg α-LA. After an 8-wk feeding period, no differences existed (P . 0.05) between the two dietary groups in maximum specific tension before or after a fatigue protocol or in force production during the fatigue protocol. However, in unfatigued muscle, maximal twitch tension and titanic force production at stimulation frequencies #40 Hz were less (P , 0.05) in Antiox animals compared with Con. To investigate which antioxidant was responsible for the depressed force production, a second experiment was conducted using an in vitro rat diaphragm preparation. Varying concentrations of VE and dihydrolipoic acid, the reduced form of α-LA, were added either individually or in combination to baths containing diaphragm muscle strips. The results from these experiments indicate that high levels of VE depress skeletal muscle force production at low stimulation frequencies.
antioxidants; contraction; redox; oxidation; reactive oxygen species
☻ Redox Behavior of Vitamin E at the Water|1,2-dichloroethane Solution-PDF file
Interface
Khaleda BANU, Megumi KASUNO, Nobuyuki ICHIEDA, Akihiro UEHARA, Yumi YOSHIDA, Kohji MAEDA,
and Sorin KIHARA†
Department of Chemistry, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
ANALYTICAL SCIENCES 2001, VOL.17 SUPPLEMENT
The redox process between permanganate anion (MnO4-) or nitric oxide (.NO) in an aqueous solution (W) and vitamin E (α-tocopherol, α-TOH) in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) at the W|DCE interface was investigated by voltammetry for charge (ion or electron) transfer and controlled potential electrolysis at the interface. It was found that both MnO4- and .NO could react with α-TOH at the W|DCE interface. In case of MnO4- in W, oxidation products in the DCE were vitamin E quinine (α-TQ) together with another unidentified product when the applied potential (Eappl) was between 0.1 and 0.6 V vs. tetraphenylarsonium ion selective electrode. However, for .NO in W, the oxidation product in DCE was α-TQ only in the Eappl range between 0.2 and 0.6 V. The main reduction products of MnO4 - and .NO in W were MnO2 with a small amount of Mn2+ and nitrous oxide (N2O), respectively.
☻ Retinoic Acid and Vitamin E Modulate Expression and Release of CD178 in Carcinoma Cells: Consequences for Induction of Apoptosis in CD95-Sensitive Cells-PDF file
Helmut R. Salih,* Gary C. Starling,* Markus Knauff,† Maj-Britt Llewellyn,* Patricia M. Davis,* William J. Pitts,* Alejandro Aruffo,* and Peter A. Kiener*,1
*Department of Immunology, Inflammation and Pulmonary Diseases, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Princeton, New Jersey 08540; and †Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08543
CD178 (CD95-ligand) is expressed on several tumor cells and likely influences the interaction of the tumor with the host immune system. However, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate its expression on the cell surface. We have evaluated the ability of various compounds and cytokines to regulate cell surface expression and release of soluble CD178 in various carcinoma cell lines. Vitamin E succinate (VES) and retinoic acid (RA) were found to reduce CD178 surface expression, whereas interferon-g stimulated a slight upregulation. At 48 h, the regulation of surface CD178 by VES and RA arose from a small decrease in CD178 mRNA and to a greater extent due to an increase in the release of soluble CD178; the latter was blocked by addition of a metalloproteinase inhibitor. Accordingly, VES and RA treatment diminished the ability of tumor cells to kill CD95-sensitive cells and this effect was markedly reduced by the presence of a metalloproteinase inhibitor. Our results indicate that, in vitro, CD178 expression on the cell surface of tumor cells can be regulated by agents that alter both expression and release of the ligand. In vivo, such treatments may play an important role in the outcome of tumor sensitivity or resistance to host immune mechanisms.
Key Words: tumor immunity; apoptosis; FasL; carcinoma; sheddase.
☻ THE EFFECTS OF VITAMIN E ON BODYWEIGHT AND FAT MASS IN INTACT AND OVARIECTOMIZED FEMALE RATS-PDF file
A. AZMAN* B. A. K. KHALID** S. IMA-NIRWANA*
*Department of Pharmacology **Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Medical Journal of Islamic Academy of Sciences 14:4,125−138, 2001
SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin E deficiency and supplementation on body weight and body composition in intact and ovariectomized growing female rats. One hundred and twenty female Wistar rats aged 3 months were ovariectomized (OVX) or left intact (sham-operated). The intact and OVX rats were divided into 6 groups and given different dietary treatments, i.e. vitamin E deficient diets (VED, 75%VED, 50%VED, 25%VED), normal rat chow diet (RC) and rat chow with oral supplementation of 30mg/kg body weight of α-tocopherol (RC+ATF). Body weight of intact and OVX rats in the RC and the RC+ATF groups showed increased significantly after 15 weeks of dietary treatment. Intact and ovariectomized rats fed with VED, 75%VED, 50%VED and 25%VED did not gain weight after 15 weeks. OVX rats had significantly higher body weight than intact rats in the 50%VED, 25%VED, RC and RC+ATF groups. Fat mass of intact rats was increased only in the RC and RC+ATF groups. For OVX rats, fat mass was increased in the VED, 50%VED, RC and RC+ATF groups. OVX groups had significantly higher fat mass when compared with intact groups, however, the significance was greater for the RC and RC+ATF groups. Other parameters of body composition were not significantly affected. In conclusion, vitamin E played an important role in the weight gain of female rats and the gain was primarily due to the increase in fat mass, irrespective of the effect of ovariectomy. Alpha-Tocopherol supplementation conferred little benefit compared to giving RC diet alone in both the intact and ovariectomized female rats. The results also indicate that excessive vitamin E intake might contribute towards obesity in female rats.
Key Words: Vitamin E, body weight, fat mass, ovariectomy.
☻ γ-Tocopherol and its major metabolite, in contrast to α-tocopherol, inhibit cyclooxygenase activity in macrophages and epithelial cells-PDF file
Qing Jiang, Ilan Elson-Schwab, Chantal Courtemanche, and Bruce N. Ames*
Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720; and Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, 5700 M. L. King Jr. Way, Oakland, CA 94609
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-catalyzed synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a key role in inflammation and its associated diseases, such as cancer and vascular heart disease. Here we report that g-tocopherol (gT) reduced PGE2 synthesis in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and IL-1btreated A549 human epithelial cells with an apparent IC50 of 7.5 and 4 mM, respectively. The major metabolite of dietary gT, 2,7,8-trimethyl-2-(b-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman (g-CEHC), also exhibited an inhibitory effect, with an IC50 of '30 mMin these cells. In contrast, α-tocopherol at 50 mM slightly reduced (25%) PGE2 formation in macrophages, but had no effect in epithelial cells. The inhibitory effects of gT and g-CEHC stemmed from their inhibition of COX-2 activity, rather than affecting protein expression or substrate availability, and appeared to be independent of antioxidant activity. g-CEHC also inhibited PGE2 synthesis when exposed for 1 h toCOX-2-preinduced cells followed by the addition of arachidonic acid (AA), whereas under similar conditions, gT required an 8- to 24-h incubation period to cause the inhibition. The inhibitory potency of gT and g-CEHC was diminished by an increase in AA concentration, suggesting that they might compete with AA at the active site of COX-2. We also observed a moderate reduction of nitrite accumulation and suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by gT in lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages. These findings indicate that gT and its major metabolite possess anti-inflammatory activity and that gT at physiological concentrations may be important in human disease prevention.
☻ VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS-PDF file
The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation Study Inves
BSTRACT
Background: Observational and experimental studies suggest that the amount of vitamin E ingested in food and in supplements is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. Methods: We enrolled a total of 2545 women and 6996 men 55 years of age or older who were at high risk for cardiovascular events because they had cardiovascular disease or diabetes in addition to one other risk factor. These patients were randomly assigned according to a two-by-two factorial design to receive either 400 IU of vitamin E daily from natural sources or matching placebo and either an angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitor (ramipril) or matching placebo for a mean of 4.5 years (the results of the comparison of ramipril and placebo are reported in a companion article). The primary outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death from cardiovascular causes. The secondary outcomes included unstable angina, congestive heart failure, revascularization or amputation, death from any cause, complications of diabetes, and cancer. Results: A total of 772 of the 4761 patients assigned to vitamin E (16.2 percent) and 739 of the 4780 assigned to placebo (15.5 percent) had a primary outcome event (relative risk, 1.05; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.95 to 1.16; P=0.33). There were no significant differences in the numbers of deaths from cardiovascular causes (342 of those assigned to vitamin E vs. 328 of those assigned to placebo; relative risk, 1.05; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.90 to 1.22), myocardial infarction (532 vs. 524; relative risk, 1.02; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.90 to 1.15), or stroke (209 vs. 180; relative risk, 1.17; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.95 to 1.42). There were also no significant differences in the incidence of secondary cardiovascular outcomes or in death from any cause. There were no significant adverse effects of vitamin E. Conclusions: In patients at high risk for cardiovascular events, treatment with vitamin E for a mean of 4.5 years has no apparent effect on cardiovascular outcomes. (N Engl J Med 2000;342:154-60.)
☻ Role of supplemental vitamin E in lamb survival and production: A review-PDF file
P. G. Hatfield*, J. T. Daniels*, R. W. Kott*, D. E. Burgess†, and T. J. Evans‡,
*Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, 59717; †Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, 59717; and ‡Roche Vitamins Inc., Parsippany, NJ, 07110
Proceedings of the American Society of Animal Science, 1999
Abstract: Neonatal lamb mortality costs U.S. sheep producers approximately $114 million annually. Mortality rates have been reported in excess of 20% with little improvement over the past 40 yr. The objective of this paper is to review literature pertinent to the potential role of supplemental vitamin E to increase neonatal lamb survival and production. Effects of vitamin E in humoral and, to a lesser extent, cell-mediated immunity have been well documented. However, the influence of supplemental vitamin E on immunity and other factors that may increase lamb survival and production are not clearly understood. Although supplementing the newborn lamb with vitamin E increases serum vitamin E concentration and may influence serum immunoglobulin levels, this administration of vitamin E may not be as effective in decreasing neonatal lamb mortality as supplementing the ewe during late gestation. In addition to the role of vitamin E in immune function, the potential role of vitamin E in neonatal energy status and stress are discussed. Strategic supplementation of the late gestating ewe with vitamin E may be a biologically and economically efficient method of reducing neonatal lamb mortality when environmental stresses are high. Whether this response is solely due to enhanced immune function or a combination of improved immunocompetence, fetal energy status, and a neonate more capable of dealing with stress is yet to be determined. Further research on how supplemental vitamin E may influence cell mediated immunity, ameliorate stress, and improve fetal energy status is needed to clarify the role of vitamin E in neonatal lamb survival and production. Key Words: Immunity, Lambs, Neonatal Mortality, Survival, Vitamin E
☻ The Effects of Supplementation with a-Tocopherol and b-Carotene on the Incidence and Mortality of Carcinoma of the Pancreas in a Randomized, Controlled Trial-PDF file
Matti T. Rautalahti, M.D.1; Jarmo R. K. Virtamo, M.D.1; Philip R. Taylor, M.D., Ph.D.2; Olli P. Heinonen, M.D., .Sc.3; Demetrius Albanes, M.D.2; Jari K. Haukka, Lic.Ph.1;Brenda K. Edwards, Ph.D.2;Pa¨ ivi A. Ka¨ rkka¨ inen, M.D.4; Rachael Z. Stolzenberg-Solomon, R.D., M.P.H.2; Jussi Huttunen, M.D.1
1 National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. 2 National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. 3 Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 4 Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Cancer 1999;86:37–42.
BACKGROUND. Dietary components may be both causal and protective in cases of pancreatic carcinoma, but the preventive potential of single constituents has not been evaluated. The authors report the effects of a-tocopherol and b-carotene supplementations on the rates of incidence of and mortality from pancreatic carcinoma in a randomized, controlled trial.
METHODS. The 29,133 participants in the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study were male smokers who were ages 50269 years at the time they were randomized into 1 of the following 4 intervention groups: dl-atocopherol (AT; 50 mg/day), b-carotene (BC; 20 mg/day), both AT and BC, and placebo. The daily supplementation lasted for 528 years. Incident cancers were identified through the national Finnish Cancer Registry and death certificates of the Statistics Finland. Results were analyzed by supplementation with Cox regression models.
RESULTS. Effects of both supplementations were statistically nonsignificant. The rate of incidence of pancreatic carcinoma was 25% lower for the men who received b-carotene supplements (n538) compared with the rate for those who did not receive b-carotene (n 5 51) (95% CI, 251% to 14%). Supplementation with a-tocopherol (n 551) increased the rate of incidence by 34% (95% CI, 212% to 105%) compared with the rate for those who did not receive a-tocopherol. Mortality from pancreatic carcinoma during the follow-up, adjusted for stage and anatomic location of the tumor, was 19% (95% CI, 247% to 26%) lower among those who received b-carotene and 11% (95% CI, 228% to 72%) higher among those who received a-tocopherol as compared with those who did not receive supplementation.
CONCLUSIONS. Supplementation with b-carotene or a-tocopherol does not have a statistically significant effect on the rate of incidence of pancreatic carcinoma or the rate of mortality caused by this disease.
KEYWORDS: antioxidants, supplementation, b-carotene, a-tocopherol, pancreatic carcinoma, prevention, clinical trial.
☻ Influence of smoking on vitamin E status during the third trimester of pregnancy and on breast-milk tocopherol concentrations in Spanish women-PDF file
Rosa M Ortega, Ana M López-Sobaler, Rosa M Martínez, Pedro Andrés, and M Elena Quintas
American Society for Clinical Nutrition 1998;68:662–7
ABSTRACT Concentrations of antioxidants in breast milk probably define the degree of protection it can offer against peroxidation. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the differences in vitamin E status of Spanish women smokers and nonsmokers in their third trimester of pregnancy and the concentrations of tocopherol in their milk. Vitamin E intake was determined during the third trimester of pregnancy by using a 5-d dietary record (including a Sunday) and by recording the quantities provided by supplements. HPLC was used to determine vitamin E concentrations in subjects’ serum during the third trimester, in transitional breast milk on days 13–14 of lactation, and in mature breast milk on day 40 of lactation. Subjects also answered a questionnaire about their smoking habits during pregnancy. Subjects were grouped as nonsmokers (71.9%; n = 41) or smokers (28.1%; n = 16). Although vitamin E intake was somewhat greater in nonsmokers, the difference was not significant. Ratios of vitamin E to polyunsaturated fatty acids were practically the same in both groups. The use of vitamin E supplements was limited and did not modify the results of the study. No significant differences in these serum indexes were found between smokers and nonsmokers, and no subject had deficient serum vitamin E concentrations. However, vitamin E concentrations in mature milk were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. Although it is already known that maternal smoking favors peroxidation events in newborns, if the concentration of antioxidants (vitamin E) in smokers’ breast milk is also lower, it might aggravate the peroxidation problems of their newborns.
KEY WORDS Vitamin E, smoking, serum vitamin E, breast-feeding, pregnancy, lactation, transitional breast milk, mature breast milk, women, newborns, Spain
☻ Relationship of Plasma Carotenoids, Retinol and Tocopherols in Mothers and Newborn Infants-PDF file
Kyung-Jin Yeum, PhD, Guylaine Ferland, PhD, Johanne Patry, PhD, and Robert M. Russell, MD
Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (K-J.Y., R.M.R.), Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts; and De´partment de Nutrition (G.F., J.P.), Universite´ de Montre´al, Montre´al, Quebec, Canada
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NUTRITION 1998 VOL. 17, NO. 5
Objective: We studied the relationship between maternal and cord plasma concentrations of carotenoids, retinol, and tocopherols in normal mother-baby pairs. Methods: Healthy pregnant women (n510) were recruited at a Montre´al hospital. Venous blood samples were collected from the mothers at delivery and cord blood was obtained immediately post partum from the umbilical vein after clamping of the cord. All deliveries were full term deliveries and all babies had normal birth weights. Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were handled identically. Plasma was digested with lipase and plasma carotenoids were extracted and measured using HPLC. Results: Cord plasma concentration of carotenoids were significantly lower than that of maternal plasma (p,0.001). There was a high correlation of lutein (r50.889, p50.006) and cryptoxanthin (r50.912, p50.0002) between maternal plasma concentrations and cord plasma concentrations. The concentrations of the hydrocarbon carotenoids, a-carotene and β-carotene, were also correlated (r50.779, p50.0133, & r50.782, p50.0076, respectively) between maternal plasma and cord plasma. Whereas the plasma concentration of the acyclic carotenoid, lycopene, showed no correlation between the two groups, after adjustment for plasma triglycerides, the lycopene correlation between maternal and cord plasma was the highest (r50.975, p50.0001) of all the carotenoids tested. Cord plasma retinol concentration, which was 50% of that of maternal plasma, was also found to have no correlation with that of maternal plasma. Plasma concentration of a-tocopherol showed no correlation between two groups, whereas there was high correlation between cord and maternal g-tocopherol concentrations (r50.808, p50.0047). Conclusion: The nutritional status of mothers affects the nutritional status of their babies for certain fat soluble nutrients.
Key words: cord blood, lutein, cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, retinol, tocopherol
☻ Reversal of Defective Nerve Conduction With Vitamin E Supplementation in Type 2 Diabetes-PDF file
NESLIHAN BAS¸ÇıL TÜTÜNCÜ, MD MIYASE BAYRAKTAR, MD KUBILAY VARLı, MD
DIABETES CARE, VOLUME 21, NUMBER 11, NOVEMBER 1998
OBJECTIVE— The present study has examined the effect of vitamin E, the principal modulator of free radical activity, on electrophysiological parameters in patients with diabetic peripheral sensorimotor polyneuro p a t h y, matched for duration of disease and metabolic contro l. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— A total of 21 subjects with type 2 diabetes w e re enrolled in this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study (vitamin E, 11 patients; placebo, 10 patients). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 900 mg vitamin E or placebo for 6 months. The average dietary vitamin E consumption of the subjects was similar during the study. The main outcome measure was the electrophysiological tests assessing nerve conduction. Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1, postprandial plasma glucose, and elect rophysiological parameters in the basal state and after 6 months of treatment were studied. RESULT S— Glycemic indexes did not show any significant changes during the study, w h e reas nerve conduction improved significantly in 2 of the 12 studied electro physiological parameters after 6 months in patients on vitamin E supplementation. The changes in the elect rophysiological parameters were obvious in the median motor nerve fibers and tibial motor nerve fibers. Nerve conduction velocity in the median motor nerve fibers (P = 0.0019) and tibial motor nerve distal latency (P = 0.0284) improved significantly after 6 months of vitamin E supplementation . CONCLUSIONS— This study shows that defective nerve conduction in diabetic subjects with mild-to-moderate peripheral neuropathy may be improved by pharmacological doses of vitamin E supplementation. Further studies with a larger number of patients for longer periods of time are needed.
☻ A controlled trial of selegiline, Alpha-tocopherol, or both as treatment for alzheimer’s disease-PDF file
Marysano, ph.d., Christophere Rnesto et al
The New England Journal of Medicine April 24, 1997
ABSTRACT
Background There is evidence that medications or vitamins that increase the levels of brain catecholamines and protect against oxidative damage may reduce the neuronal damage and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods We conducted a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized, multicenter trial in patients with Alzheimer’s disease of moderate severity. A total of 341 patients received the selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor selegiline (10 mg a day), alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E, 2000 IU a day), both selegiline and alpha-tocopherol, or placebo for two years. The primary outcome was the time to the occurrence of any of the following: death, institutionalization, loss of the ability to perform basic activities of daily living, or severe dementia (defined as a Clinical Dementia Rating of 3). Results Despite random assignment, the baseline score on the Mini–Mental State Examination was higher in the placebo group than in the other three groups, and this variable was highly predictive of the primary outcome (P_0.001). In the unadjusted analyses, there was no statistically significant difference in the outcomes among the four groups. In analyses that included the base-line score on the Mini–Mental State Examination as a covariate, there were significant delays in the time to the primary outcome for the patients treated with selegiline (median time, 655 days; P_0.012), alpha-tocopherol(670 days, P_0.001), or combination therapy (585 days, P_0.049), as compared with the placebo group(440 days). Conclusions In patients with moderately severe impairment from Alzheimer’s disease, treatment with selegiline or alpha-tocopherol slows the progression of disease.
☻ Vitamin-E supplements and their effect on vitamin-E status in blood and genetic damage rate in peripheral blood lymphocytes-PDF file
Michael Fenech1, Ivor Dreosti and Clare Aitken
CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition, PO Box 10041 Gouger Street, Adelaide SA, Australia 5000
Carcinogenesis vol.18 no.2 pp.359–364, 1997
☻ Vitamin E-Deficient Diets Enriched with Fish Oil Suppress Lethal Plasmodium yoelii Infections in Athymic and scid/bg Mice-PDF file
D. W. TAYLOR,1* O. A. LEVANDER,2 V. R. KRISHNA,1 C. B. EVANS,1 V. C. MORRIS,2 AND J. R. BARTA3
Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 200571; Human Nutrition Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 207052; and Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada3
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY, Jan. 1997, p. 197–202
Mice fed vitamin E-deficient diets containing omega-3 fatty acids survive infection with lethal Plasmodium yoelii. The current study sought to determine if antimalarial T- and B-cell responses were required for such dietary-mediated protection. In the first set of experiments, nu/nu mice (which lack ab T-cell-receptor-positive T cells and do not produce antimalarial antibody) and nu/1 mice were fed casein-based diets containing 4% menhaden oil, with or without vitamin E supplementation, for 4 weeks prior to infection with lethal P. yoelii. All mice fed diets containing vitamin E developed fulminating parasitemias and quickly died, whereas both nu/nu and nu/1 mice fed diets deficient in vitamin E controlled their parasitemias for the first 18 days of infection. Thereafter, the nu/nu mice became anemic and died, whereas the nu/1 mice produced antimalarial antibodies and survived. In the second set of experiments, scid/scid.bg/bg mice (which lack B cells and ab and gd T cells and have reduced NK-cell activity) were fed the experimental diet for 6 weeks and then infected with the less virulent 17XNL strain of P. yoelii. Mice fed vitamin E-containing diets quickly died, whereas those fed the vitamin E-deficient diet survived without developing detectable parasitemias. Results from these experiments show that under prooxidant dietary conditions, mice were able to control and even survive malaria in the absence of malaria-primed T cells and antimalarial antibody. These results emphasize the importance of cellular oxidative processes in parasite elimination.
☻ Vitamin E Slows the Rate of Free Radical-Mediated Lipid Peroxidation in Cells1-PDF file
Brett A. Wagner,* Garry R. Buettner,† and C. Patrick Burns*,2
*Department of Medicine and †Electron Spin Resonance Facility, The University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS Vol. 334, No. 2, October 15, pp. 261–267, 1996
☻ VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTS FOR FEEDLOT STEERS-PDF file
D. S. Secrist1, W. J. Hill1, F. N. Owens2, M.T. Van Koevering3, C.A. Strasia4, H. G. Dolezal5, B.A. Gardner1 and D.R. Gill2
The effects of Vitamin E (E) supplementation of finishing diets composed of high moisture corn was investigated. Ninety-six Limousin crossbred steers were blocked by weight and assigned randomly to one of two treatments. Each steer received either 100 (LO) or 300 IU (HI) vitamin E/d for the 135 d feeding period. Feed intake and gain did not differ at any time during the trial. However, efficiency was improved by 1.6% for cattle fed the higher level of vitamin E. Diet DM and starch digestibilities, using chromic oxide as an indigestible dietary marker, were not altered by E although protein digestibility tended to be least for LO; starch concentration in feces tended to be greater for HI than LO. Compared with HI, LO had higher fecal protein concentration. The cattle were slaughtered at a commercial packing facility where individual carcass data were collected after a 48-h chill. HI cattle had higher marbling scores, more back fat and tended to have a higher calculated yield grade than calves fed the lower levels. HI cattle tended to have more carcasses grade Choice and fewer grade Standard. Longissimus dorsi muscle sections were used for determination of shelf life characteristics and toughness measurements. More steaks from LO cattle were classified as tender (75.0 vs. 58.3 %) than those taken from HI cattle. Rate of discoloration of meat sections exposed to cool white light was delayed by at least 24 h with the higher level of E.
(Key Words: Cattle, Shelf-life, Carcass.)
☻ PLASMA AND TISSUE VITAMIN E CONCENTRATIONS IN SHEEP AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF A SINGLE INTRAPERITONEAL DOSE OF dCa-TOCOPHEROL-PDF file
N. Hidiroglou, G. Butles and L. R. McDowel1
University of Florida. Gainesville 32601 and Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario KIA OC6
ABSTRACT
Blood plasma and tissue Vitamin E concentrations were determined in 20 sheep following a single i.p. dose of 5 g of dl-ct-tocopherol. In addition, five sheep were used as controls (no treatment and killed at d 0). From the 20 vitamin E-dosed sheep, 4 were slaughtered on d 3, 6, 10, 15 and 28 after dosing. There was a significant time effect in a-tocopherol concentrations in all tissues. In most tissues, the peak a-tocopherol concentration was at 3d postdosing. Uptake varied among the different tissues examined. Three days postdosing, a large uptake of vitamin E by the liver was observed; this supports the concept that hepatic tissues are a target organ for vitamin E action. Also at d 3 uptake was pronounced in spleen and lung. Vitamin E concentrations in the other body tissues at d
3 postdosing increased considerably, but to a lesser degree than those in liver, spleen and lung. Vitamin E concentration in all tissues declined 3 d after i.p. dosing.
(Key Words: Vitamin E, Intraperitoneal Injection, Sheep.)
J. h i m . Sci. 1990. 68:782-787
☻ JOURNAL OF LIPID RESEARCH VOLUME 11, 1970
J. G. BIERI, R. K. H. POUKKA,* and E. L. PRIVAL
---Other---
☻ METABOLIC ENGINEERING OF VITAMIN E BIOSYNTHESIS FOR TOCOTRIENOL PRODUCTION AND INCREASED ANTIOXIDANT CONTENT-PDF file
Edgar B. Cahoon
United States Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service Plant Genetics Research Unit Donald Danforth Plant Science Center 975 North Warson Road St. Louis, Missouri 63132 USA
Introduction
Tocotrienols and tocopherols comprise the Vitamin E family of lipid soluble antioxidants in plants. Tocotrienols are the primary form of Vitamin E in the seed endosperm of most monocots, including agronomic ally important cereal grains such as wheat, rice, and barley. Tocotrienols are also found in the seed endosperm of a limited number of dicots, including Apiaceae species and certain Solanaeceae species, such as tobacco [1]. These molecules are found only rarely in vegetative tissues of plants. Tocopherols, by contrast, occur ubiquitously in plant tissues and are the exclusive form of Vitamin E in leaves of plants and seeds of most dicots [1]. Tocopherols also occur in photosynthetic microbes such as Synechocystis. Tocotrienols and tocopherols are plastid localized molecules that consist of a polar chromanol head group linked to a long-chain hydrocarbon tail. Tocotrienols differ structurally from tocopherols by the presence of three trans double bonds in the hydrocarbon tail (Fig. 1). In addition, four different forms of tocotrienols and tocopherols can occur in plants. These are designated α, b, g, and δ, and differ with regard to the numbers and positions of methyl groups on the aromatic head group.
☻ Vitamin E supplementation and meat quality in lambs-PDF file
E.Kasapidou1, J.D.Wood1, L.A.Sinclair2, R.G.Wilkinson2 and M.Enser1
1Division of Food Animal Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK,
2ASRC, School of Agriculture, Harper Adams University College, Edgmond, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB,UK
Introduction Colour deterioration and lipid oxidation are major factors limiting the shelf life and acceptability of meat. Vitamin E slows down these processes and meat from animals fed supranutritional amounts of vitamin E has an increased shelf life. However, vitamin E supplementation in sheep has produced variable results (Enser et al., 1999). This work shows the effects of supplementing vitamin E on the concentration in plasma over a 63 day feeding period and on meat quality.
Materials and methods Five groups of 8 Suffolk ´ Charollais wether lambs (mean liveweight 24.8 ±1.6 kg), which came off grass, were individually penned and randomly allocated by liveweight to a dry pelleted diet based on wheat, molassed sugar beet pulp, soyabean meal and rapeseed meal supplemented with either 30, 60, 120, 250 or 500 mg/kg DM b-tocopheryl acetate. Diets were fed ad libitum following a 5 day adaptation period. Blood samples were obtained weekly to monitor plasma vitamin E. After slaughter samples (m. semimembranous) were taken for muscle vitamin E content. Vitamin E analysis was conducted by HPLC. For colour assessment during display and oxidative stability 15mm thick leg steaks were aged for 6 days in vacuum at 0°C, repacked in modified atmosphere (O2:CO2, 0.75:0.25) and displayed under light (cool white fluorescent illumination with 700lx, 16hr on/8hr off) at 4°C for 6 days. M. semimembranosus colour was determined daily using CIELAB L*a*b* colour space and oxidative stability was determined as thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) after 3 and 6 days of display.
Results Vitamin E levels were low at the start of the trial and decreased during the first 2-3 weeks at all levels of supplementation (Figure 1). Except for the 30mg supplement, plasma levels subsequently increased but only on the 500mg supplement were final values higher than those at the start of the trial. However, both plasma (p<0.001) and muscle (p<0.001) vitamin E levels were highly correlated with the dietary vitamin E levels in slaughter samples. Colour during display at day 6 was slightly better (p<0.05) at the 250mg and 500mg supplementation level but TBARS were significantly affected (p<0.001) by the vitamin E level on both display days (Table 1)
☻ Vitamin E Oxidation in Human Atherosclerotic Lesions-PDF file
Terentis et al.
☻VITAMIN E AND IMMUNE FUNCTION IN HORSES-PDF file
Dr. Paul D. Siciliano, Ph.D. Associate Professor Dept. of Animal Science Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523
Summary
Vitamin E is a major lipid soluble antioxidant that serves to protect cell membranes against oxidative damage. Cells participating in the immune response are highly metabolic and produce reactive oxygen species as a part of normal metabolism and in some cases as a defense mechanism used in killing and degradation of pathogens. Vitamin E deficiencies result in impaired immune function while supplementation beyond normal requirements (e.g. that for growth) result in immunostimulatory effects. Several mechanisms for vitamin E’s affect on the immune response have been suggested and include: maintenance of cell membranes, effects on signal transduction, and inhibition of prostaglandin E2. Only limited work on the effect of vitamin E and immune function in horses is available. However that which does exist suggests a positive effect of vitamin E supplementation on immune function of horses. The results of these experiments have limitations in there practical application, in that they represent only mature idle horses, and mares and their foals. Nonetheless they provide a starting point to establish optimum vitamin E requirements for horses relative to immune function.
☻Transfer of vitamin E to piglet tissue, placenta, colostrum and milk from sows supplemented with vitamin E and vitamin C.-PDF file
A. Pinelli-Saavedra1, 2, J.R Scaife1, H. Celaya2 and M. Birnie1
1. Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Universty of Aberdeen, 581 King Street. Aberdeen AB24 5UA, UK.
2 Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C., Apdo. Postal No. 1735, 83000, Hermosillo, Sonora,
México.
Introduction. The effective level of dietary supplementation of vitamin E and vitamin C is difficult to define because it depends of several factors such as composition of the diet, feed consumption, rate of growth, animal production and living conditions, stress, crowding and environment. Research has demonstrated that supplemental vitamin E improved litter size, increased sow serum a-tocopherol content and enhanced health status (Mahan, 1994; Wuryastuti et al., 1993). Some reports have suggested that the low plasma and tissue levels of a-tocopherol in new-born pigs, suggests a low rate of vitamin E transfer across the placenta which is not influenced by dietary supplementation of the sow during pregnancy. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of vitamin E and vitamin C supplementation of sow diets on transfer of vitamin E to piglet tissues via placenta, colostrum and milk.
☻The Role of Selenium and Vitamin E in Milk Quality-PDF file
Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, Dip.ABVP-Dairy Extension Milk Quality Specialist
Introduction
Selenium and vitamin E are essential dietary nutrients in ruminants. The majority of dairy cows in the United States are located in areas with selenium deficient soils. Plants grown in these soils do not contain adequate levels of dietary selenium to meet the nutritional requirements of dairy cows. The primary source of vitamin E for dairy cows is forage. Processing and storage of forage can result in considerable loss of vitamin E. Serum vitamin E levels in cows have been demonstrated to decrease seasonally, corresponding approximately with length of feed storage (Fig. 1).1 Therefore, it is not uncommon for inadequate dietary levels of selenium and vitamin E to be fed in many dairy herds.
☻The Role of Dietary Vitamin E in Experimental Listeria monocytogenes Infections in Turkeys-PDF file
A.S. Leaflet R1933
M. Zhu, Graduate Assistant,
I. V. Wesley, USDA ARS National Animal Disease Center, A. Mendonca, Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition
D. U. Ahn, Professor of Animal Science
Summary and Implications
The recovery of L. monocytogenes from intestine and tissues of vitamin E treated turkeys was generally lower than that of control diet turkeys. The reason for the observed difference in the clearance of L. monocytogenes among diet treatments could be related to changes in immune responses after vitamin E treatment. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that CD4 + and CD8+ lymphocytes were elevated at 6- and 8- DPI in infected turkeys given 200 IU vitamin E. Taken together, these data suggest that vitamin E may stimulate host defenses, which may augment clearance of L. monocytogenes.
☻The Protective Effect of Vitamins E and C on The Gastric Mucosal Barrier in Rats-PDF file
Cihat GÜZEL1
Tr. J. of Medical Sciences29 (1999) 551–554
Irradiated With X-Rays
Abstract: The protective effect of vitamins E and C on the gastric mucosal barrier in rats irradiated with X-rays was investigated. Thirty-two male Wistar Albino rats were used. The animals were divided into four groups and arranged of follows: the first group (n=8) was the sham group; the second group (n=8) was the control group which was irradiated with X-rays, the third group (n=8) to which vitamin C was administered and the fourth group (n=8) to which vitamin E was given. The animals in the groups except the sham group wereirradiated with 8.9 Gy X-rays. Twenty-four hours later, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The stomach was removed and opened along the greater curvature. The amounts of mucus and phospholipid, which are the components of gastric mucosal barrier, were determined by Corne and Baur’s method. The amounts in irriadiated rats were found to be lower relative to those in the rats which were not irradiated (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The amounts were observed to be higher in the vitamin C administered group compared with the irradiated control group (p<0.001, 0<0.05, respectively). In the group to which vitamin E was given, the amounts were also found to be higher relative to those in the control group (p<0.001, p<0.05 respectively). The results indicate that vitamins E and C protect the gastric mucosal barrier against Xrays.
Key Words: X-rays, Gastric mucosal barrier, Vitamin E, Vitamin C.
☻The Inhibitory Effects of Ascorbic Acid, α-Tocopherol, and Sodium Selenite on Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cell Lines-PDF file
Ebrahim Azizia*, Shahram Shoaibia, Gabriele Ludewigeb, Mohammad Reza Oveisic a
Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. bDepartment of Nutrition and Food Sciences, College of Environmental Health Sciences University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. cDepartment of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran niversity of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The role of antioxidants in prevention and treatment of cancers have been reported by several studies. In our investigation we studied the effects of ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and sodium selenite on proliferation of two breast cancer cell lines: T47D (estrogen-receptor positive) and MDA-MB-231 (estrogen-receptor negative). We also used 17-β-estradiol as positive control for proliferation of T47D cells. The viability of cells after 7 days of exposure to different concentrations of test compounds was determined by resazurine based method. Ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol significantly inhibited cell growth at a concentration of 10-4 M in both cell lines and antagonized the cell proliferation induced by 17-β-estradiol in T47D cells. Sodium selenite at concentrations above 10-6 M strongly inhibited the cell growth in both cell lines and suppressed the stimulated growth of T47D cells by 17-β-estradiol. Our results with different strengths of activity of test compounds, further confirmed the findings of previous studies that showed the inhibitory effects of these antioxidants on other malignant cell lines.
Keywords: Antioxidants; Breast cancer; T47D cells; Cell proliferation; α-Tocopherol; ascorbic Acid; Sodium selenite.