Blog Archives

Bone health ingredients for dietary supplements: Calcium and beyond

Jia Zhang Lee, executive director, Davos Life Science (Singapore), has safety in mind, too, when he talks about the category of tocotrienols and the future of his company’s tocotrienols ingredient, DavosLife E3.

In layman’s terms, tocotrienols and their siblings, tocopherols, are part of the vitamin E family. The Office of Dietary Supplements explains that naturally occurring vitamin E exists in eight chemical forms (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienol; and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol) that have varying levels of biological activity. Vegetable oils are a good source of tocotrienols, especially palm oil and rice bran oil.

When it comes to trends in the bone health category for supplements and functional food, Lee sees movement toward “taking preventative measures with a focus on naturally sourced ingredients. People are realizing that health is something to be preserved rather than fixed,” he says. “They are looking for ways to maintain health and wellness as they age.”

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Effects of vitamin E on stroke: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

Hong Chuan Loh, Renly Lim, Kai Wei Lee, Chin Yik Ooi, Deik Roy Chuan, Irene Looi, Yuen Kah Hay, Nurzalina Abdul Karim Khan

Stroke Vasc Neurol . 2020 Oct 27;svn-2020-000519. doi: 10.1136/svn-2020-00051

Abstract

There are several previous studies on the association of vitamin E with prevention of stroke but the findings remain controversial. We have conducted a systematic review, meta-analysis together with trial sequential analysis of randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effect of vitamin E supplementation versus placebo/no vitamin E on the risk reduction of total, fatal, non-fatal, haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke. Relevant studies were identified by searching online databases through Medline, PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A total of 18 studies with 148 016 participants were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference in the prevention of total stroke (RR (relative risk)=0.98, 95% CI 0.92-1.04, p=0.57), fatal stroke (RR=0.96, 95% CI 0.77-1.20, p=0.73) and non-fatal stroke (RR=0.96, 95% CI 0.88-1.05, p=0.35). Subgroup analyses were performed under each category (total stroke, fatal stroke and non-fatal stroke) and included the following subgroups (types of prevention, source and dosage of vitamin E and vitamin E alone vs control). The findings in all subgroup analyses were statistically insignificant. In stroke subtypes analysis, vitamin E showed significant risk reduction in ischaemic stroke (RR=0.92, 95% CI 0.85-0.99, p=0.04) but not in haemorrhagic stroke (RR=1.17, 95% CI 0.98-1.39, p=0.08). However, the trial sequential analysis demonstrated that more studies were needed to control random errors. Limitations of this study include the following: trials design may not have provided sufficient power to detect a change in stroke outcomes, participants may have had different lifestyles or health issues, there were a limited number of studies available for subgroup analysis, studies were mostly done in developed countries, and the total sample size for all included studies was insufficient to obtain a meaningful result from meta-analysis. In conclusion, there is still a lack of statistically significant evidence of the effects of vitamin E on the risk reduction of stroke. Nevertheless, vitamin E may offer some benefits in the prevention of ischaemic stroke and additional well-designed randomised controlled trials are needed to arrive at a definitive finding. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020167827.

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Pretreatment with bisoprolol and vitamin E alone or in combination provides neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Chiman Salehi, Monireh Seiiedy, Hamid Soraya, Farzaneh Fazli, Morteza Ghasemnejad-Berenji

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol . 2020 Oct 27. doi: 10.1007/s00210-020-02007-9. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induces selective neuronal injury in the hippocampus, leading to severe impairment in behavior, learning, and memory functions. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of bisoprolol (biso) and vitamin E (vit E) treatment alone or in combination on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. A total of 30 male rats were divided randomly into five groups (n = 6), sham, I/R, I/R + biso, I/R + vit E, and I/R + biso+vit E. Cerebral I/R group underwent global ischemia by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 20 min. Treatment groups received drugs once daily intraperitoneally for 7 days before the I/R induction. Locomotive and cognitive behaviors were utilized by open-field and Morris water maze tests. After behavioral testing, the brain was removed and processed to evaluate cerebral infarct size, histopathologic changes, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. In I/R group tissue MDA and MPO levels and cerebral infarct size were significantly increased in comparison with the sham group. Furthermore, significant deficits were observed in locomotion and spatial memory after I/R. The areas of cerebral infarction, MPO, and MDA levels in biso, vit E, and combination group were significantly reduced compared with I/R group. Histopathological analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in leukocyte infiltration in all treated groups with the most profound reduction in the combination group. According to the behavioral tests, administration of biso and/or vit E protected locomotive ability and improved spatial memory after cerebral I/R. Our findings show that biso and vit E have beneficial effects against the I/R injury and due to their synergistic effects when administered in combination, may have a more pronounced protective effect on the cerebral I/R injury.

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Pentoxifylline, tocopherol, and sequestrectomy are effective for the management of advanced osteoradionecrosis of the jaws-a case series

Raíssa Soares Dos Anjos, Giovana Nóbrega de Pádua Walfrido, Rômulo Oliveira de Hollanda Valente, Luiz Alcino Gueiros, Alessandra Albuquerque Tavares Carvalho, Preeyan Patel, Stephen Porter, Jair Carneiro Leão, Igor Henrique Morais Silva

Support Care Cancer . 2020 Oct 27. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05847-6. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of pentoxifylline and tocopherol for the management of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws.

Methods: Twenty-five patients diagnosed with osteoradionecrosis of the jaws treated with pentoxifylline 400 mg + tocopherol 400 mg three times daily (tid) were evaluated. Clinical records and image tests were reviewed. All patients were previously submitted to head and neck radiation therapy and presented with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws.

Results: Following therapy with pentoxifylline and tocopherol, 76% (19/25) of the patients showed complete mucosal healing, in which 47.3% (9/19) did not undergo sequestrectomy. From this particular group, 77.7% (7/9) were in stage I and 33.3% (3/9) used the protocol for up to 3 months. Among those who underwent to sequestrectomy, complete mucosal healing was observed in 52.7% (10/19). Among these, 60% (6/10) were in stage I and 100% of the patients were using the protocol for more than 3 months. In all other patients, partial healing of the mucosa was observed since they presented advanced disease. These represented 24% of the sample (6/25), 66.6% (4/6) were in stage III, and 60% (4/6) used the protocol for over 6 months.

Conclusion: Pentoxifylline and tocopherol may provide effective management of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws, and the association with sequestrectomy may avoid major surgical procedures.

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Possible modulation of nervous tension-induced oxidative stress by vitamin E

Noorah Saleh Al-Sowayan

Saudi J Biol Sci . 2020 Oct;27(10):2563-2566. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.05.018. Epub 2020 May 15.

Abstract

Stress is an unavoidable part of human life that affects a majority of people: In 2018, 55% of Americans reported experiencing stress (Gallup Global Emotions, 2019). Various factors contribute to the emergence of nervous stress among individuals, including environmental, physical, and psychological stimuli. Physical and psychological issues arise as a result of stress, which is the subject of our research study, giving it significant practical value. Here, we have tested the possible correlation between increase in oxidation species and severe psychological issues at a community level. To understand any possible connections between these two parameters, tests were conducted on 200 rats that were divided into three general groups based on the duration of stress exposure. Each group was further divided into five smaller groups with 10-20 rats. Treatments were setup with or without vitamin E with periods of stress immobilization. Samples were then collected to conduct necessary analyses from control, experimental, and treatment groups. Immobilization stress types, i.e., acute and chronic stress, caused noticeably different physiological changes, especially with respect to nature and severity of response. Chronic stress induced different responses depending on the exposure period as well. Furthermore, vitamin E appeared to have a protective role due to its antioxidant nature, which highlights the need for investigations on oxidative stress-related disease treatment and prevention.

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A serum containing vitamins C & E and a matrix-repair tripeptide reduces facial signs of aging as evidenced by Primos® analysis and frequently repeated auto-perception

Karl Lintner, Francine Gerstein, Nowell Solish

J Cosmet Dermatol . 2020 Oct 26. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13770. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Background: Allegations on the benefits of incorporating vitamin C, vitamin E, and combinations thereof in topical skincare formulations are mostly based on in vitro and ex vivo experiments and/or limited protocols of specific stress conditions (pollution, UV exposure, laser irradiation,…).

Objective: To evaluate the instrumentally measurable effects and quantitative consumer perceptions of a protective and reparative serum on a panel of volunteers under normal nonstressed conditions of use, employing FOITS technology and innovative self-assessment methods.

Method: In an open-label study women of ≥40 years with visible signs of photoaging applied a serum comprising l-ascorbic acid USP (15% w/v), tocopheryl acetate USP, and 5 ppm palmitoyl tripeptide-38 to the face once daily for 56 days. Skin roughness and isotropy changes were evaluated on days 0, 28, and 56, visual instrumental evaluation of skin-tone parameters was assessed on days 0 and 56. Subjects completed self-assessment questionnaires every third day of the trial period for radiance, homogeneity, and wrinkle appearance.

Results: Skin-roughness parameters decreased significantly by 8%-9% (P < .05) and subjects experienced a significant increase in skin isotropy (P < .05). Photographic analysis revealed significant improvements in skin tone, with a 9% decrease in redness and 8% increase in homogeneity (P < .0001 for both), in excellent agreement with subjects’ perception of significant improvements of radiance, complexion, and wrinkles.

Conclusion: The study confirms statistically significant correlation between objectively measured and quantitative subjectively perceived benefits of the bespoke serum containing antioxidants and a matrix-restoring peptide.

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The Effect of Antioxidants on Photoreactivity and Phototoxic Potential of RPE Melanolipofuscin Granules from Human Donors of Different Age

Magdalena M Olchawa, Grzegorz M Szewczyk, Andrzej C Zadlo, Michal W Sarna, Dawid Wnuk, Tadeusz J Sarna

Antioxidants (Basel) . 2020 Oct 26;9(11):E1044. doi: 10.3390/antiox9111044.

Abstract

One of the most prominent age-related changes of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is the accumulation of melanolipofuscin granules, which could contribute to oxidative stress in the retina. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of melanolipofuscin granules from younger and older donors to photogenerate reactive oxygen species, and to examine if natural antioxidants could modify the phototoxic potential of this age pigment. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry, EPR-spin trapping, and time-resolved detection of near-infrared phosphorescence were employed for measuring photogeneration of superoxide anion and singlet oxygen by melanolipofuscin isolated from younger and older human donors. Phototoxicity mediated by internalized melanolipofuscin granules with and without supplementation with zeaxanthin and α-tocopherol was analyzed in ARPE-19 cells by determining cell survival, oxidation of cellular proteins, organization of the cell cytoskeleton, and the cell specific phagocytic activity. Supplementation with antioxidants reduced aerobic photoreactivity and phototoxicity of melanolipofuscin granules. The effect was particularly noticeable for melanolipofuscin mediated inhibition of the cell phagocytic activity. Antioxidants decreased the extent of melanolipofuscin-dependent oxidation of cellular proteins and disruption of the cell cytoskeleton. Although melanolipofuscin might be involved in chronic phototoxicity of the aging RPE, natural antioxidants could partially ameliorate these harmful effects.

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Co-delivery of doxorubicin, docosahexaenoic acid, and α-tocopherol succinate by nanostructured lipid carriers has a synergistic effect to enhance antitumor activity and reduce toxicity

Eduardo Burgarelli Lages, Renata Salgado Fernandes, Juliana de Oliveira Silva, Ângelo Malachias de Souza, Geovanni Dantas Cassali, André Luís Branco de Barros, Lucas Antônio Miranda Ferreira

Biomed Pharmacother . 2020 Oct 24;132:110876. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110876. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used in cancer treatment, however, its use is often limited due to its side effects. To avoid these shortcomings, the encapsulation of DOX into nanocarriers has been suggested. Herein, we proposed a novel nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulation loading DOX, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and α-tocopherol succinate (TS) for cancer treatment. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid and TS is a vitamin E derivative. It has been proposed that these compounds can enhance the antitumor activity of chemotherapeutics. Thus, we hypothesized that the combination of DOX, DHA, and TS in NLC (NLC-DHA-DOX-TS) could increase antitumor efficacy and also reduce toxicity. NLC-DHA-DOX-TS was prepared using emulsification-ultrasound. DOX was incorporated after preparing the NLC, which prevented its degradation during manufacture. High DOX encapsulation efficiency was obtained due to the ion-pairing with TS. This ion-pairing increases lipophilicity of DOX and reduces its crystallinity, contributing to its encapsulation in the lipid matrix. Controlled DOX release from the NLC was observed in vitro, with increased drug release at the acidic environment. In vitro cell studies indicated that DOX, DHA, and TS have synergistic effects against 4T1 tumor cells. The in vivo study showed that NLC-DHA-DOX-TS exhibited the greatest antitumor efficacy by reducing tumor growth in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. In addition, this formulation reduced mice mortality, prevented lung metastasis, and decreased DOX-induced toxicity to the heart and liver, which was demonstrated by hematologic, biochemical, and histologic analyses. These results indicate that NLC-DHA-DOX-TS may be a promising carrier for breast cancer treatment.

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