Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of several diabetes related complications and now is the leading cause of new onset blindness among individuals aged 20–64 years old.In the study, Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were divided into two treatment groups based on the route of administration of treatment — oral treatment group and topical treatment group.
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolism of α-tocopherol derived from vitamin E-enriched transgenic maize (VER) and its effects on antioxidant and immune functions in broilers aged 1 to 42 days. A total of 360 1-day-old male broilers were randomly divided into three groups containing six replicates with 20 broilers per replicate. The negative control (NC) group and the positive control (PC) group were given non-GM maize and non-GM maize plus exogenous vitamin E (VE), respectively, and the VER group was given VER replacing the non-GM maize given to the NC group. Between days 1 and 21 and days 22 and 42, VE levels were 4.38 and 4.63 mg kg-1 in the NC group, and 14.11 and 14.91 mg kg-1 in the PC and VER group, respectively.
Results: The results showed that α-tocopherol from both VER and additives increased α-tocopherol transfer protein and cytochrome P450 concentrations. Additionally, serum α-tocopherol and α-tocopherylquinone levels of broilers in the PC and VER groups were significantly higher than those in the NC group (P < 0.05). Compared with the NC group, broilers in both groups that received α-tocopherol had reduced NF-κB p65 concentrations, significantly decreased serum prostaglandin E2 , IL-6, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide levels (P < 0.05), and significantly increased glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: In summary, both VER and non-GM maize fortified with exogenous VE showed similar effects on broilers, indicating that the α-tocopherol in VER has sufficient biological activity.
Formation of atherosclerotic plaques, called atherogenesis, is a complex process affected by genetic and environmental factors. It was proposed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is an important factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and that vitamin E affects atherosclerotic plaque formation via its antioxidant properties. Here, we investigated ER stress-related molecular mechanisms in high-cholesterol diet (HCD, 2%)-induced atherosclerosis model and the role of vitamin E supplementation in it, beyond its antioxidant properties. The consequences of HCD and vitamin E supplementation were examined by determining protein levels of ER stress markers in aortic tissues. As vitamin E supplementation acts on several unfolded protein response (UPR) factors, it decreased ER stress induced by HCD. To elucidate the associated pathways, gene expression profiling was performed, revealing differentially expressed genes enriched in ER stress-related pathways such as the proteasome and the apoptosis pathways. We further assessed the proteasomal activity impaired by HCD in the aorta and showed that vitamin E reversed it to that of control animals. Overall, the study characterized the effects of HCD and vitamin E on ER stress-related gene expression, revealing the role of proteolytic systems during atherogenesis.
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for cows, but the effect of vitamin E supplementation is often controversially discussed in the published literature. The main goal of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on its serum and colostrum enrichment, milk yield (MY), and somatic cell counts (SCC), as well as on various reproductive variables of transition cows, by considering a large set of variables that might influence the responses to vitamin E supplementation. After a broad search in journals and databases with keywords related to transition cows supplemented with vitamin E and appropriate filtering of the results, 36 papers including 53 trials were selected, and their data were extracted into a database. A meta-analysis was conducted on the extracted data. The analysis showed enrichment of serum vitamin E both at parturition (effect size: 2.423) and postpartum (effect size: 0.473), but no effects of vitamin E supplementation on IgG concentration in colostrum (effect size: -0.05) were found. There was a tendency for supplemented cows to produce more milk (effect size: 1.29) during the first month of lactation. Because of large heterogeneity, a meta-regression was performed but none of the presumed influencing factors was identified as a potential variable affecting MY. Milk SCC, as an indicator of udder health, was unaffected by vitamin E supplementation. Vitamin E supplementation tended to decrease the calving to first estrus period (CFP), whereby supplementing Se and taking parity into account in the analysis significantly lowered the CFP. Cows receiving additional vitamin E had, on average, 6.1% fewer cases of retained placenta, whereby Se supplementation and breed were key factors improving the effect of vitamin E to reduce retained placenta. In this regard, breeds other than Holstein responded better and these cows showed a lower incidence of retained placenta. The supplemented cows showed fewer days open (effect size: -0.31), and this improvement was affected linearly by increasing the dosage administered. Also, cows showed fewer services per conception with increasing dosage of vitamin E. In conclusion, this analysis showed that supplementing vitamin E did not affect SCC or colostrum quality but improved reproductive performance of transition cows, an effect consistent with increased levels of serum vitamin E and, for some variables, being modulated by Se supplementation.
Pregabalin abuse has become an emerging concern; thus, the current study has been designed to study the neurotoxic hazards of prolonged high-dose of pregabalin (akin to that abused by addicts) and to evaluate the effect of alpha tocopherol as a possible ameliorating agent. The current study evaluated the brain neurotransmitters; dopamine, glutamate, and norepinephrine. The study also assessed the expression of the apoptosis-related markers Bax, Bcl2, and caspase 3. Western-blotted analysis of the three major mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), the c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK), the p38 MAPK, and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), has also been performed. The study also evaluated oxidative stress via assessment of the cortical tissue levels of reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde and the activity of superoxide dismutase. Histopathological examination and histomorphometric evaluation of the darkly degenerated cortical neurons have also been performed. Pregabalin in high doses (150 mg/kg/day and 300 mg/kg/day) disrupted the ERK/JNK/p38-MAPK signaling, reversed the bax/bcl2 ratio, and induced oxidative stress. It also diminished the release of dopamine, glutamate, and norepinephrine and increased the count of degenerated neurons. Alpha tocopherol treatment significantly attenuated the deleterious effects induced by pregabalin. The role of alpha tocopherol in ameliorating the oxidative stress injury, and apoptosis induced by pregabalin, along with its role in normalizing neurotransmitters, modulating the ERK/JNK/p38-MAPK signaling pathways and improving the histopathological cortical changes, offers alpha tocopherol as a promising adjunctive therapy in patients undergoing prolonged pregabalin therapy as those suffering from prolonged seizures and neuropathies.
A study shows that unprocessed red palm oil helps to maintain lung immunity and respiratory health, strengthening’s one’s body defenses against the coronavirus that is causing the Covid-19 disease. The product, also known as virgin red palm oil, can help maintain an adequate amount of a substance crucial for the body’s immune system.
Objective: To examine the efficacy of vitamin E in methotrexate- (MTX-) induced transaminitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods: A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary rheumatology center for 12 months. Patients with RA on MTX and deranged aminotransferases were included. Patients with previous liver diseases, baseline transaminitis before methotrexate initiation, alcohol intake, muscle diseases, under hepatotoxic drugs, and aminotransferases > 3 times the upper normal limit were excluded. The patients were divided into treatment (vitamin E 400 mg bid for 3 months) and control groups (no vitamin E) using a random number table. The dose of MTX was unaltered. Follow-up was done after 3 and 6 months. Independent t-test was done to compare means of two groups. Paired t-test was done to compare differences in mean.
Results: Among 230 patients, 86.5% were female with a mean BMI of 25.9 ± 4.5 kg/m2. In the treatment group, SGPT and SGOT at baseline were 73.1 ± 20.4 and 60.2 ± 24.5 IU/L, respectively; at 3-month follow-up 44.6 ± 34.2 and 38.3 ± 20.8 IU/L, respectively; and at 6-month follow-up 40.4 ± 35.7 and 34.2 ± 21.9 IU/L, respectively. In the control group, SGPT and SGOT at baseline were 63.4 ± 15.1 and 46.8 ± 13.7 IU/L, respectively, and at 3-month follow-up 55.8 ± 45.9 and 45.5 ± 30.9 IU/L, respectively. Significant decrease in the level of aminotransferases was seen in the treatment group (p value < 0.001) and not in the control group (p values 0.161 and 0.728, respectively). The change in levels of SGPT and SGOT from baseline to 3 months of follow-up was statistically significant in between two study groups (p values 0.007 and <0.001, respectively). From the control group, 29 patients were crossed over to vitamin E for the next 3 months. SGPT and SGOT decreased from 97.6 ± 44.1 to 46.1 ± 40.9 and 69.3 ± 34.9 to 29.1 ± 11.6 IU/L, respectively (p values 0.031 and 0.017, respectively).
Radiation-induced (RI) plexopathy is a rare peripheral nerve injury after radiation therapy for cancer. No treatment has been shown to slow its progression. A pentoxifylline-vitamin E combination significantly reduced RI fibrosis, and its association with clodronate (PENTOCLO) allowed healing of osteoradionecrosis and reduction of neurologic symptoms in phase 2 trials.
A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial conducted in adults with RI limb plexopathy without cancer recurrence, randomized in 2 arms to PENTOCLO (pentoxifylline 800 mg, tocopherol 1000 mg, clodronate 1600 mg 5 days per week) or triple placebo. The primary outcome measure after 18 months of treatment was the neurologic Subjective Objective Management Analytic (SOMA) score evaluating pain, paresthesia, and motor disability.
Between 2011 and 2015, 59 patients were included: 1 false inclusion (neoplastic plexopathy), 29 treated with placebo (group P), and 29 treated with the active drugs (group A); 46 patients presented an upper-limb and 12 a lower-limb plexopathy. The mean delay after irradiation was 26 ± 8 years, for patients with neurologic symptoms for 5 ± 5 years. The median global SOMA scores in the P and A groups, respectively, were 9 (range, 6-11) versus 9 (range, 8-11) at M0 and 9 (range, 5-12) versus 10 (range, 6-11) at M18 without any significant difference. Analysis of the secondary outcomes showed that SOMA score subdomains for pain and paresthesia were more affected in group A (not significant). The frequency of adverse events was similar in the 2 groups (81% of patients): slight expected vascular-gastrointestinal symptoms in A, but a large excess of RI complications (arterial stenosis).
This first randomized drug trial in RI plexopathy failed to show a beneficial effect. More studies are needed in patients with less advanced disease and fewer confounding comorbidities and with a more sensitive measure to detect a therapeutic effect.
In this study, we developed a water-in-oil microemulsion containing vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E (α-tocopherol), which serves as a multifunctional nanosystem that co-delivers antioxidants and displayed additive effect against acute skin inflammation. Microemulsion (ME) was prepared by mixing a surfactant blend (Tween 80 and propylene glycol, 5:1) with isopropyl myristate and water (ratio of 50:40:10, respectively). Vitamin A (0.05% w/w concentration) and/or vitamin E (0.1% w/w concentration) were incorporated into the surfactant mixture of ME by stirring with a magnetic stirrer for 30 min. This multifunctional ME displayed physical stability, with low cytotoxicity in 3T3 cell line, as well as cellular internalization into the cytosol. In vivo treatments using ME delivering α-tocopherol reduced dermal expression of TNF-α by 1.3-fold (p < 0.01), when compared to unloaded ME treatment group. When retinol was added into the ME containing α-tocopherol, it further reduced TNF-α expression by 2-fold (p < 0.001), suggesting the additive effect of vitamin E and vitamin A in the treatment against skin inflammation. In conclusion, we successfully developed the use of water-in-oil ME to pack both vitamin E and vitamin A, and demonstrated for the first time its anti-inflammatory potential when applied topically to TPA-induced inflamed skin.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of two antioxidant formulations (sodium ascorbate and α-tocopherol) on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth.
Materials and methods: Sixty human premolars were endodontically treated and divided into six groups (n = 10): G1 (negative control)-unbleached and restored with composite resin; G2 (positive control)-bleached in three sessions, using hydrogen peroxide (15 H2O2) plus titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, photoactivated by LED laser system and restored with composite resin; G3-bleaching similar to G2, after the use of 10% sodium ascorbate gel for 24 hours and restored with composite resin; G4-similar to G3, but with the use of 10% sodium ascorbate solution and restored with composite resin; G5 and G6-similar to G3, but with the use of 10% α-tocopherol in alcohol or carbopol, respectively, and was also restored. A mechanical fracture resistance test was performed and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate the results (α = 0.05).
Results: No statistical difference was observed in fracture resistance between groups (p > 0.05). Regarding the antioxidant and pharmaceutical formulation applied, no statistical difference was detected in any comparison (p > 0.05). The frequency of fractures considered favorable was higher in G1 and G3 compared to the other groups.
Conclusion: The endodontically treated teeth bleached with 15 H2O2 plus TiO2 nanoparticles and photoactivated with the LED laser did not decrease the fracture resistance and the use of sodium ascorbate or α-tocopherol did not increase the crown fracture resistance.