High concentration of vitamin E supplementation in sow diet during the last week of gestation and lactation affects the immunological variables and antioxidative parameters in piglets.

Wang L, Xu X, Su G, Shi B, Shan A.

J Dairy Res. 2016 Nov 11:1-6. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a high concentration of vitamin E supplementation in sow diet during the last week of gestation and lactation on the performance, milk composition, and vital immunological variables and antioxidative parameters in sows and piglets. The experiment started on day 107 of gestation and lasted until the piglets were weaned on day 21 of lactation. 48 sows were divided into two groups and fed either a basal diet with 44 IU/kg of vitamin E or a basal diet supplemented with additional vitamin E, total content of 250 IU/kg. Sow milk and blood samples were obtained on day 0 (farrowing) and on day 21 of lactation. One 21-day-old piglet per litter was selected to collect plasma. Results showed that supplementation of the maternal diet with 250 IU/kg vitamin E improved the average daily gain (ADG) and weaning weight of piglets (P < 0·05), and the concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in sow plasma, colostrum and milk. The concentrations of fat in the colostrum and milk were significantly increased by supplementation with 250 IU/kg of vitamin E (P < 0·05). The level of plasma IgG, IgA, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and catalase (CAT) were all higher (P < 0·05) in piglets from sows that were fed 250 IU/kg of vitamin Ethan in those from the control group. The high concentration of vitamin E supplementation to the sows enhanced the concentrations of α-tocopherol in the sow milk and plasma as well as piglet plasma (P < 0·05). In conclusion, the addition to the maternal diet of vitamin E at high concentration improved the weight of piglets at weaning, and enhanced humoral immune function and antioxidant activity in sows and piglets.

Galli F, Azzi A, Birringer M, Cook-Mills JM, Eggersdorfer M, Frank J, Cruciani G, Lorkowski S, Özer NK.

Free Radic Biol Med. 2016 Nov 2;102:16-36. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.09.017. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

The discovery of vitamin E will have its 100th anniversary in 2022, but we still have more questions than answers regarding the biological functions and the essentiality of vitamin E for human health. Discovered as a factor essential for rat fertility and soon after characterized for its properties of fat-soluble antioxidant, vitamin E was identified to have signaling and gene regulation effects in the 1980s. In the same years the cytochrome P-450 dependent metabolism of vitamin E was characterized and a first series of studies on short-chain carboxyethyl metabolites in the 1990s paved the way to the hypothesis of a biological role for this metabolism alternative to vitamin E catabolism. In the last decade other physiological metabolites of vitamin E have been identified, such as α-tocopheryl phosphate and the long-chain metabolites formed by the ω-hydroxylase activity of cytochrome P-450. Recent findings are consistent with gene regulation and homeostatic roles of these metabolites in different experimental models, such as inflammatory, neuronal and hepatic cells, and in vivo in animal models of acute inflammation. Molecular mechanisms underlying these responses are under investigation in several laboratories and side-glances to research on other fat soluble vitamins may help to move faster in this direction. Other emerging aspects presented in this review paper include novel insights on the mechanisms of reduction of the cardiovascular risk, immunomodulation and antiallergic effects, neuroprotection properties in models of glutamate excitotoxicity and spino-cerebellar damage, hepatoprotection and prevention of liver toxicity by different causes and even therapeutic applications in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. We here discuss these topics with the aim of stimulating the interest of the scientific community and further research activities that may help to celebrate this anniversary of vitamin E with an in-depth knowledge of its action as vitamin.

Torshabi M, Esfahrood ZR, Gholamin P, Karami E.

J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2016 Nov 1;27(6):595-602. doi: 10.1515/jbcpp-2015-0143.

Abstract

Evidence shows that oxidative stress induced by nicotine plays an important role in bone loss. Vitamin E with its antioxidative properties may be able to reverse the effects of nicotine on bone. This study aimed to assess the effects of nicotine in the presence and absence of vitamin E on morphology, viability and osteogenic gene expression in MG-63 (osteosarcoma) human osteoblast-like cells.

We treated the cells with 5 mM nicotine. The viability and morphology of cells were evaluated respectively using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) and crystal violet assays. The effect of nicotine on osteogenic gene expression in MG-63 cells was assessed by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction of osteoblast markers, namely, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein.

The results revealed that survival and proliferation of MG-63 cells were suppressed following exposure to nicotine, and cytoplasm vacuolization occurred in the cells. Nicotine significantly down-regulated the expression of osteogenic marker genes. Such adverse effects on morphology, viability and osteogenic gene expression of MG-63 cells were reversed by vitamin E therapy.

In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation may play a role in proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, and vitamin E can be considered as an anabolic agent to treat nicotine-induced bone loss.

Wang J, Ma W, Guo Q, Li Y, Hu Z, Zhu Z, Wang X, Zhao Y, Chai X, Tu P.

Int J Nanomedicine. 2016 Nov 7;11:5851-5870. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Tumor-targeted delivery system has been developed as an attractive strategy for effective tumor therapy. In this study, in order to enhance the antitumor effects of doxorubicin (DOX), amphiphilic hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated vitamin E succinate (VES) copolymers (HA-VES) with different degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared with synergistic antitumor effects and active targeting activities, and utilized as nanocarriers for the efficient delivery of DOX. DOX-loaded HA-VES polymeric micelles (HA-VES/DOX) self-assembled from dual-functional HA-VES copolymer and exhibited excellent loading efficiency and superior colloidal stability. In vitro, HA-VES/DOX displayed enhanced cytotoxicity with synergistic anticancer effects of HA-VES copolymer, high apoptosis-inducing activities of tumor cells, and reversal effects of DOX on multidrug resistance, in comparison with DOX. Also, in vitro cellular uptake and subcellular localization studies revealed that HA-VES/DOX could more efficiently internalize into cancer cells and selectively release DOX within lysosomes, thereby enhancing the distribution of DOX in nuclei and facilitating its interactions with DNA. Specifically, HA-VES/DOX decreased the activity of CD44 mRNA and improved the targeting efficiency on MCF-7 cells, based on the active recognition between HA and CD44 receptor. More importantly, HA-VES/DOX displayed better tumor accumulation and targeting, and enhanced antitumor efficacy with reduced systemic toxicity in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. In summary, the developed HA-VES-based drug delivery system, which increased drug targeting on the tumor site and exhibited preferable anticancer activity, could hold great potential as an effective and promising strategy for efficient tumor therapy.

Prathipati P, Zhu J, Dong X.

Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2016 Nov;108:126-135. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.08.005. Epub 2016 Aug 12.

Abstract

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is one of the members of the neurotrophin family with multifaceted functions. However, clinical application of NGF is hurdled by the challenge on formulation development. The objective of this study was to develop novel high-density lipoproteins (HDL)-mimicking nanoparticles (NPs) coated with α-tocopherol to incorporate NGF by a self-assembly approach. The NPs were prepared by an optimized self-assembly method that is simple and scalable. The composition of HDL-mimicking NPs was optimized. The prototype of the HDL-mimicking α-tocopherol-coated NPs contained phosphatidylserine (a negative charged phospholipid) and d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (a source of vitamin E) to enhance the entrapment efficiency of apolipoprotein A-I in the NPs. The entrapment efficiency of apolipoprotein A-I was about 30%. The NPs had particle size about 200nm with a relatively narrow size distribution. Finally, cationic ion-pair agents were optimized to form ion-pairs with NGF to facilitate the incorporation of NGF into the NPs. Protamine sodium salt USP formed an optimal ion-pair complex with NGF. The results showed that the novel HDL-mimicking α-tocopherol-coated NPs successfully encapsulated NGF with over 65% entrapment efficiency by using this ion-pair strategy. In vitro release studies demonstrated a slow release of NGF from NGF NPs in PBS containing 5% BSA at 37°C for 72 h. Further biodistribution studies showed that intravenously injected NGF NPs significantly increased NGF concentration in plasma and decreased the uptake in liver, spleen and kidney, compared to free NGF in mice.

Asemi Z, Soleimani A, Shakeri H, Mazroii N, Esmaillzadeh A.

Int Urol Nephrol. 2016 Nov;48(11):1887-1895. Epub 2016 Aug 23.

Abstract

The current study was carried out to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acid and alpha-tocopherol co-supplementation on malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS), biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients.

In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 120 patients with chronic HD were included. Patients were randomly allocated into four groups to receive: (1) 1250 mg/day omega-3 fatty acid containing 600 mg EPA and 300 mg DHA + alpha-tocopherol placebo (n = 30); (2) 400 IU/day alpha-tocopherol + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30); (3) 1250 mg omega-3 fatty acids/day + 400 IU/day alpha-tocopherol (n = 30); and (4) omega-3 fatty acids placebo + alpha-tocopherol placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks.

After 12 weeks of intervention, all three groups of alpha-tocopherol only, individual omega-3 fatty acids, and combined omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-tocopherol experienced a significant improvements in MIS compared with the placebo group; however, improvements were much greater in the individual omega-3 fats (-1.4 ± 1.4) and combined omega-3 fats and alpha-tocopherol (-1.1 ± 2.3) groups compared with alpha-tocopherol group alone (-0.5 ± 1.7, P = 0.004). Furthermore, both individual and combined intervention with omega-3 fats and alpha-tocopherol led to a significant increase in plasma nitric oxide (NO) (combined group: +17.6 ± 29.3; alpha-tocopherol: +43.1 ± 36.3; omega-3 fats: +31.0 ± 40.0; and placebo: -0.5 ± 18.5 µmol/L, respectively, P < 0.001) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+64.9 ± 113.6, +53.0 ± 144.6, +57.6 ± 157.8 and -69.9 ± 215.1 mmol/L, respectively, P = 0.004) levels.

Overall, omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-tocopherol co-supplementation for 12 weeks among HD patients improved MIS, plasma NO and TAC levels. Future studies with longer duration of the intervention are needed to confirm the validity of our findings. CLINICAL REGISTRATION: www.irct.ir as IRCT201410245623N28.

Kim JE, Ferruzzi MG, Campbell WW.

Nutr. 2016 Nov;146(11):2199-2205. Epub 2016 Sep 21.

Abstract

Most people living in the United States underconsume vitamin E, and dietary approaches to increase the absorption of vitamin E may help individuals to meet their body’s needs. In this study, we assessed the effect of adding cooked whole egg to a raw mixed-vegetable salad on α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol absorption.

With the use of a randomized-crossover design, 16 healthy young men [mean ± SD age: 24 ± 4 y; mean ± SD body mass index (in kg/m²): 24 ± 2] consumed the same salad (all served with 3 g canola oil) with no egg [control (CON)], with 75 g cooked egg [low egg (LE)], or with 150 g cooked egg [high egg (HE)]; a 1-wk dietary washout period was included between trials. For the first 7 d of each trial, participants consumed a low-vitamin E diet to reduce plasma vitamin E concentrations. Blood was collected hourly for 10 h and the triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein fractions (TRLs) were isolated. α-Tocopherol and γ-tocopherol concentrations in TRLs were analyzed and composite areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated.

Results showed that the consumption of cooked whole eggs is an effective way to increase the absorption of α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol from a co-consumed meal that naturally contains vitamin E, such as a raw mixed-vegetable salad, in healthy young men. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01951313.

Menichetti S, Amorati R, Meoni V, Tofani L, Caminati G, Viglianisi C.

Org Lett. 2016 Nov 4;18(21):5464-5467. Epub 2016 Oct 18.

Abstract

Noncovalent sulfur···oxygen interactions can increase the stability of chalcogen ortho-substituted phenoxyl radicals. This effect contributes to transforming the 7-hydroxybenzo[b]thiophene moiety in a privileged structural motif to enhance the activity of phenolic antioxidants. A cascade of five consecutive electrophilic reactions occurring in one pot afforded potent and biocompatible α-tocopherol-like antioxidants.

da Silva Ribeiro KD, Lima MS, Medeiros JF, de Sousa Rebouças A, Dantas RC, Bezerra DS, Osório MM, Dimenstein R.

Matern Child Nutr. 2016 Oct;12(4):801-7. doi: 10.1111/mcn.12232.

Abstract

Vitamin E is important because of its antioxidant activity in situations of oxidative stress, especially postnatally. Hence, the objective was to verify whether maternal alpha-tocopherol level is associated with the alpha-tocopherol levels of the newborn and colostrum. This is a cross-sectional study of 58 women and their term newborns from a public hospital. Blood and colostrum were collected to measure alpha-tocopherol levels by high-performance liquid chromatography. Mothers with serum alpha-tocopherol levels <16.2 mmol L(-1) and newborns <11.6 mmol L(-1) were indicative of deficiency or low levels. Mothers were divided into two groups: <16.2 mmol L(-1) and those with levels ≥16.2 mmol L(-1) . The mean (95% confidence interval) serum alpha-tocopherol levels of mothers, umbilical cords and colostrum were 28 (24-32), 6 (5-8) and 39 mmol L(-1) (32-45), respectively (P < 0.001); 19% of the women and 90% of the newborns had low alpha-tocopherol levels. Maternal alpha-tocopherol level was associated with that of the umbilical cord. Newborns from mothers at risk of deficiency had low alpha-tocopherol levels (P < 0.001). Colostrum levels of vitamin E were not influenced by maternal serum. Maternal deficiency influenced the vitamin E level of the umbilical cord but does not in the colostrum, evidencing distinct transfer mechanisms via the mammary gland.

Li X, Zhang Y, Yuan Y, Sun Y, Qin Y, Deng Z, Li H.

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2016 Oct;173(2):433-42. doi: 10.1007/s12011-016-0681-8.

Abstract

The present study was performed to investigate the protective effects of selenium (Se), vitamin E (Vit E) and anthocyanins from purple carrots and their combination against the oxidative stress induced by D-galactose in rats. A total of 80 male rats were equally divided into 11 groups, one of which acted as control (I) just receiving intraperitoneal injections of physiological saline. The remaining ten groups (II-XI) were intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose at a dose of 400 mg kg(-1) body weight (BW) per day for 42 consecutive days. Rats in groups III-XI were treated with antioxidants via gavage per day as follows: group III: Se-methylselenocysteine (SeMSC), IV: Se as sodium selenite (Na2SeO3), V: Se-enriched yeast (SeY), VI: Vit E as α-tocopherol acetate, VII: anthocyanin from purple carrots (APC), VIII: APC + Vit E, IX: SeMSC + APC+ Vit E, X: Na2SeO3 + APC + Vit E, XI: SeY + Ant + Vit E. The results showed that the rats treated with antioxidants (III-XI) showed significant decreases in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl protein (PCO) compared with the D-galactose-treated group (II) in the heart, liver, kidneys, and blood. Moreover, there were significant increases in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH) concentration, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the heart, liver, kidneys, and blood of antioxidant-treated animals (III-XI) than those in control group (I). In addition, the combined treatments of two or three antioxidants showed greater antioxidant activities than those of individual treatments, suggesting the synergistic antioxidant effects of Se, Vit E, and APC. In conclusion, all the antioxidants exhibited protective effects against D-galactose-induced oxidative damage in rats, and these antioxidants showed a synergistic effect.