Blog Archives
Electrophilic nitroalkene-tocopherol derivatives: synthesis, physicochemical characterization and evaluation of anti-inflammatory signaling responses
Rodriguez-Duarte J, Dapueto R, Galliussi G, Turell L, Kamaid A, Khoo NKH, Schopfer FJ, Freeman BA, Escande C, Batthyány C, Ferrer-Sueta G, López GV
Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 24;8(1):12784. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-31218-7.
Abstract
Inflammation plays a major role in the onset and development of chronic non-communicable diseases like obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Combined, these diseases represent the most common causes of death worldwide, thus development of novel pharmacological approaches is crucial. Electrophilic nitroalkenes derived from fatty acids are formed endogenously and exert anti-inflammatory actions by the modification of proteins involved in inflammation signaling cascades. We have developed novel nitroalkenes derived from α-tocopherolaiming to increase its salutary actions by adding anti-inflammatory properties to a well-known nutraceutical. We synthesized and characterized an α-tocopherol-nitroalkene (NATOH) and two hydrosoluble analogues derived from Trolox (NATxME and NATx0). We analyzed the kinetics of the Michael addition reaction of these compounds with thiols in micellar systems aiming to understand the effect of hydrophobic partition on the reactivity of nitroalkenes. We studied NATxME in vitro showing it exerts non-conventional anti-inflammatory responses by inducing Nrf2-Keap1-dependent gene expression and inhibiting the secretion of NF-κB dependent pro-inflammatory cytokines. NATxME was also effective in vivo, inhibiting neutrophil recruitment in a zebrafish model of inflammation. This work lays the foundation for the rational design of a new therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of metabolic and inflammation-related diseases.
The Effects of Vitamin E from Elaeis guineensis (Oil Palm) in a Rat Model of Bone Loss Due to Metabolic Syndrome
Wong SK, Chin KY, Suhaimi FH, Ahmad F, Ima-Nirwana S
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Aug 24;15(9). pii: E1828. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15091828.
Abstract
The beneficial effects of vitamin E in improving components of MetS or bone loss have been established. This study aimed to investigate the potential of palm vitamin E (PVE) as a single agent, targeting MetS and bone loss concurrently, using a MetS animal model. Twelve-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The baseline group was sacrificed upon arrival. The normal group was given standard rat chow. The remaining three groups were fed with high-carbohydrate high-fat (HCHF) diet and treated with tocopherol-stripped corn oil (vehicle), 60 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg PVE. At the end of the study, the rats were evaluated for MetS parameters and bone density. After euthanasia, blood and femurs were harvested for the evaluation of lipid profile, bone histomorphometric analysis, and remodeling markers. PVE improved blood pressure, glycemic status, and lipid profile; increased osteoblast surface, osteoid surface, bone volume, and trabecular thickness, as well as decreased eroded surface and single-labeled surface. Administration of PVE also significantly reduced leptin level in the HCHF rats. PVE is a potential agent in concurrently preventing MetS and protecting bone loss. This may be, in part, achieved by reducing the leptin level and modulating the bone remodeling activity in male rats.
Is vitamin E good for your hair?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that is available from several food sources as well as in supplement form. Some people believe that vitamin E has a positive impact on hair health, although more research is necessary to support this theory.
Research continues on palm-derived vitamin E’s potential benefits in skin health, hair growth, says supplier
There’s building research supporting the benefits of vitamin E supplementation for skin health and hair growth, according to the CEO of ExcelVite Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysia-based supplier of palm-derived vitamin E.
Supplement brand’s vitamin E cream to protect against dry skin
“Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant naturally present in healthy skin. Applying vitamin E to the skin surface provides additional protection as it functions as a skin conditioner and protects skin cells from environmental damage”
Astaxanthin-alpha tocopherol nanoemulsion formulation by emulsification methods: Investigation on anticancer, wound healing, and antibacterial effects
Shanmugapriya K, Kim H, Saravana PS, Chun BS, Kang HW
Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2018 Aug 20;172:170-179. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.08.042. [Epub ahead of print]
Abstract
Emulsion-based delivery systems have been fabricated and developed to increase the bioavailability of astaxanthin and alpha-tocopherol as active compounds for various biomedical applications. Astaxanthin-alpha tocopherol nanoemulsion (ATNE) is well known for its potential 6.-6.30 effect. The current study investigated ATNE by spontaneous (SENE) and ultrasonication emulsification (USNE) methods to optimally fabricate oil/water nanoemulsion characterized for biomedical applications. The two methods were compared by using a response surface method of 3-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) with significant factors. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed spherical-shaped nanoemulsion from SENE and USNE methods and dynamic light scattering (DLS) proved the good stability of the fabricated nanoemulsion. Cytotoxicity studies on three different cancer cells confirmed that the nanoemulsion at higher concentrations was more toxic than one at lower concentrations by accompanying a significant decrease in the cellular viability after 24 and 48 h of exposure. The wound-healing potential using scratch assay evidenced faster healing effect of the nanoemulsion. Both minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) methods confirmed significant antibacterial activity to disrupt the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane. The current results suggested that ATNE act as effectively targeted drug delivery vehicles in the future for cancer treatment applications due to its significant results of anticancer, wound healing, and antimicrobial effects.
Why you should beware of your smartphone—and the invisible blue light it emits
Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Toledo, found one type of molecule — called the antioxidant alpha tocopherol, which is derived from Vitamin E — can stop the poisonous reaction.
Vitamin E and Your Skin, Friends Through Food
If you’re looking for natural ways to support healthy skin, vitamins are important to help maintain skin’s appearance and health. The best source of vitamins is from nutrient-rich foods, but vitamin supplements and topical products containing vitamins can also be beneficial.
In addition to helping skin look its best, vitamins can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and the aging effects from sun exposure on your skin.
This article looks more closely at vitamin E and what it does for your skin.
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γ-tocotrienol inhibits the invasion and migration of human gastric cancer cells through downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression.
Zhang YH, Ma K, Liu JR, Wang HX, Tian WX, Tu YH, Sun WG
Oncol Rep. 2018 Aug;40(2):999-1007. doi: 10.3892/or.2018.6497. Epub 2018 Jun 14.
Abstract
γ-tocotrienol (γ-T3), a tocotrienol isoform belonging to the vitamin E family, has been revealed to exert inhibitory effects on proliferation, migration and invasion in human gastric cancer cells. However, its precise mechanism of action is still unclear and needs to be further tested. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is well known for its key role in promoting the migration and invasion abilities of human gastric cancer cells. In light of these data, our study aimed to validate whether the inhibitory actions of γ-T3 could be achieved by downregulation of COX-2 activity in vitro. In the present study, a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to observe proliferation in human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells), and wound healing and Transwell chamber assays were performed to detect migration and invasion. Western blot analyses were performed to analyse the relative expression of COX-2, matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) proteins, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to determine the exocrine roles of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The results revealed that γ-T3 exerted significant inhibitory effects on proliferation, migration, invasion and COX-2 protein expression, as well as on exocrine functions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells. Therefore, our results indicated that γ-T3 exerts inhibitory effects on migration and invasion, which may be mediated through downregulation of COX-2 expression in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells.