Vitamin E, the most important lipid-soluble antioxidant, was discovered at the University of California at Berkeley in 1922 in the laboratory of Herbert M. Evans (Science 1922, 55: 650). At least eight vitamin E isoforms with biological activity have been isolated from plant sources. Since its discovery, mainly antioxidant and recently also cell signaling aspects of tocopherols and tocotrienols have been studied. Tocopherols and tocotrienols are part of an interlinking set of antioxidant cycles, which has been termed the antioxidant network. Although the antioxidant activity of tocotrienols is higher than that of tocopherols, tocotrienols have a lower bioavailability after oral ingestion. Tocotrienols penetrate rapidly through skin and efficiently combat oxidative stress induced by UV or ozone. Tocotrienols have beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases both by inhibiting LDL oxidation and by down-regulating 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, a key enzyme of the mevalonate pathway. Important novel antiproliferative and neuroprotective effects of tocotrienols, which may be independent of their antioxidant activity, have also been described.
Antioxidation and Anti-Ageing
Oxidative damage to mitochondria in normal and cancer tissues, and its modulation
Kamat JP, Devasagayam TP.
Toxicology. 2000 Nov 30;155(1-3):73-82.
Cellular damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in normal tissues has been implicated in the etiology of several human ailments. Among the subcellular organelles, damage to mitochondria is considered crucial and can lead to cytotoxicity and cell death. However, the same damage, if it is selectively induced in cancer tissues can lead to its cure. Hence analyzing the mechanisms of such damage and its modulation may result in better prevention or cure. Using mitochondria derived from rat brain/liver as well as sarcoma 180 ascites cells, we have examined the mechanisms of damage to lipid, as assessed by different products of lipid peroxidation and to proteins, as determined by loss of enzyme activity and protein oxidation. Mechanisms involved, in terms of scavenging of ROS have been determined using pulse radiolysis for hydroxyl radical and histidine destruction assay for singlet oxygen. Various ROS were generated using gamma-radiation, photosensitization etc. under different conditions. Some novel porphyrins, with potential uses in photodynamic therapy also were used as photosensitizers. Our study shows that ROS can induce significant oxidative damage in mitochondria from both normal and tumor tissues and this can be inhibited by natural antioxidants like tocotrienols, nicotinamide and caffeine. Damage, on the other hand, can be enhanced by deuteration of the buffer and oxygenation. Our results hence demonstrated that mitochondria were sensitive to damage by ROS and its modulation may have potential uses in prevention of the disease in normal tissues; if damage can be selectively induced in tumor, it can lead to its regression.
Isolation and identification of novel tocotrienols from rice bran with hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, and antitumor properties
Qureshi AA, Mo H, Packer L, Peterson DM.
J Agric Food Chem. 2000 Aug;48(8):3130-40
Two novel tocotrienols were isolated from stabilized and heated rice bran, apart from the known alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols andtocotrienols. These new tocotrienols were separated by HPLC, using a normal phase silica column. Their structures were determined by ultraviolet, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, and high-resolution mass spectroscopies and established as desmethyl tocotrienol [3, 4-dihydro-2-methyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-3′(E),7′(E), 11′-trienyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol] and didesmethy tocotrienol [3, 4-dihydro-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-3′(E),7′(E), 11′-trienyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol]. These tocotrienols significantly lowered serum total and LDL cholesterol levels and inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity in chickens. They had much greater in vitro antioxidant activities and greater suppression of B16 melanoma cell proliferation than alpha-tocopherol and known tocotrienols. Results indicated that the number and position of methyl substituents in tocotrienols affect their hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, and antitumor properties.
Vitamin E: Non-antioxidant roles
Azzi A, Stocker A.
Prog Lipid Res. 2000 May;39(3):231-55.
Vitamin E was originally considered a dietary factor of animal nutrition especially important for normal reproduction. The significance of vitamin E has been subsequently proven as a radical chain breaking antioxidant that can protect the integrity of tissues and play an important role in life processes. More recently alpha-tocopherol has been found to possess functions that are independent of its antioxidant/radical scavenging ability. Absorption in the body is alpha-tocopherol selective and other tocopherols are not absorbed or are absorbed to a lesser extent. Furthermore, pro-oxidant effects have been attributed to tocopherols as well as an anti-nitrating action. Non-antioxidant and non-pro-oxidant molecular mechanisms of tocopherols have been also described that are produced by alpha-tocopherol and not by beta-tocopherol. alpha-Tocopherol specific inhibitory effects have been seen on protein kinase C, on the growth of certain cells and on the transcription of some genes (CD36, and collagenase). Activation events have been seen on the protein phosphatase PP2A and on the expression of other genes (alpha-tropomyosin and Connective Tissue Growth Factor). Non-antioxidant molecular mechanisms have been also described for gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol and tocotrienols.
Effect of gamma-tocotrienol on blood pressure, lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant status in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)
Newaz MA, Nawal NN.
Clin Exp Hypertens. 1999 Nov;21(8):1297-313.
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gamma tocotrienol on lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant status of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), comparing them with normal Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. SHR were divided into three groups and treated with different doses of gamma tocotrienol (gamma1, 15 mg/kg diet; gamma2, 30 mg/kg diet and gamma3, 150 mg/kg diet). Normal WKY and untreated SHR were used as normal (N) and hypertensive control (HC). Blood pressure were recorded every fortnightly for three months. At the end of the trial, animals were killed and measurement of plasma total antioxidant status, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxide levels in plasma and blood vessels were carried out following well established methods. Study shows that lipid peroxides were significantly higher in hypertensive plasma and blood vessels compared to that of normal rats (Plasma- N: 0.06+/-0.01, HC: 0.13+/-0.008; p<0.001, B1. Vessels – N: 0.47+/-0.17, HC: 0.96+/-0.37; p<0.001). SOD activity was significantly lower in hypertensive than normal rats (N = 148.58+/-29.56 U/ml, HC = 110.08+/-14.36 U/ml; p = 0.014). After three months of antioxidant trial with gamma-tocotrienol, it was found that all the treated groups have reduced plasma lipid peroxides concentration but was only significant for group gamma1 (gamma1: 0.109+/-0.026, HC: 0.132+/-0.008; p = 0.034). On the other hand, lipid peroxides in blood vessels reduced significantly in all treated groups (gamma1; p<0.05, gamma2; p<0.001, gamma3; p<0.005). All the three treated groups showed improve total antioxidant status (p<0.001) significantly. SOD activity also showed significant improvement in all groups (gamma1: p<0.001, gamma2: p<0.05, gamma3: p<0.001). Correlation studies showed that, total antioxidant status (TAS) and SOD were significantly negatively correlated with blood pressure in normal rats (p = 0.007; p = 0.008) but not in SHR control. This correlation regained in all three groups SHR’s after treatment with tocotrienol. Lipid peroxides in blood vessel and plasma showed a positive correlation with blood pressure in normal and SHR control. This correlation also remains in treated groups significantly except that in gamma3 where positive correlation with plasma lipid peroxide was not significant. In conclusion it was found that antioxidant supplement of gamma-tocotrienol may prevent development of increased blood pressure, reduce lipid peroxides in plasma and blood vessels and enhanced total antioxidant status including SOD activity.
Antioxidant systems of the avian embryo: Tissue-specific accumulation and distribution of Vitamin E in the turkey embryo during development
Surai PF, Sparks NH, Noble RC.
Br Poult Sci. 1999 Sep;40(4):458-66.
Tissue-specific accumulation of tocopherols and tocotrienols in turkey tissues during embryonic development and their susceptibility to lipid peroxidation were investigated. Fertile turkey eggs were incubated using standard commercial conditions. Embryonic tissues were collected at 16, 22, 25 d of incubation and from day-old poults (referred to as day 29) and alpha-; beta- + gamma- and delta-tocopherols and respective tocotrienolswere analysed by HPLC. A turkey diet provided to the parent hens contained the complete range of tocopherols and tocotrienols. Between days 16 and 22 of embryo development, the alpha-tocopherol concentration in the liver remained constant and then increased significantly (P<0.01) reaching a maximum just after hatching. Similar changes were observed for the other tocopherols and tocotrienols. The accumulation of alpha-tocopherol in the yolk sac membrane (YSM) started after day 20 of development and at hatching the alpha-tocopherol concentration in the YSM was twice that of beta- + gamma-tocopherols and 15 times greater than that of alpha-tocotrienol. In the kidney, heart, lung, muscle and adipose tissues a gradual increase in tocopherol and tocotrienol concentrations took place between days 20 and 25 of development with a sharp increase in particular of alpha-tocopherol between days 25 and 29. There was a discrimination between tocopherols and tocotrienols during their assimilation from the diet by the parent hen and during metabolism by the developing turkey embryo. Tissue-specific features in the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation were found with the brain being the most susceptible to lipid peroxidation at day 25 and in day-old poults.
Effect of dietary antioxidants on serum lipid contents and immunoglobulin productivity of lymphocytes in Sprague-Dawley rats
Kaku S, Yunoki S, Mori M, Ohkura K, Nonaka M, Sugano M, Yamada K
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1999 Mar;63(3):575-6.
Sprague-Dawley rats were fed alpha-tocopherol, tocotrienol, or quercetin to examine their dietary effects on serum lipid contents and immunoglobulin productivity. In tocotrienol or quercetin groups, serum triglyceride was lower than in the none group. Moreover, in the alpha-tocopherol group, serum IgA level and IgA productivity of MLN lymphocytes were high, while in the tocotrienol group, IgM productivity of spleen lymphocytes and IgA, IgG, and IgM productivity of MLN lymphocytes were high. Thus, we suggested each antioxidant had different effects in rats.
Efficacy of topically applied tocopherols and tocotrienols in protection of murine skin from oxidative damage induced by UV-irradiation
Weber C, Podda M, Rallis M, Thiele JJ, Traber MG, Packer L.
Free Radic Biol Med. 1997;22(5):761-9.
To assess the efficacy of various forms of vitamin E in protection of skin from UV-light-induced oxidative stress, vitamin E (tocotrienol-rich fraction of palm oil, TRF) was applied to mouse skin and the contents of antioxidants before and after exposure to UV-light were measured. Four polypropylene plastic rings (1 cm2) were glued onto the animals’ backs, and 20 microliters 5% TRF in polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG) was applied to the skin circumscribed by two rings and 20 microliters PEG to the other two rings. After 2 h, the skin was washed and half of the sites were exposed to UV-irradiation (2.8 mW/cm2 for 29 mi: 3 MED). TRF treatment (n = 19 mice) increased mouse skin alpha-tocopherol 28 +/- 16-fold, alpha-tocotrienol 80 +/- 50-fold, gamma-tocopherol 130 +/- 108-fold, and gamma-tocotrienol 51 +/- 36-fold. A significantly higher percentage of alpha-tocopherol was present in the skin as compared with that in the applied TRF. After UV-irradiation, all vitamin E forms decreased significantly (p < .01), while a larger proportion of the vitamin E remained in PEG-treated (approximately 80%) compared with TRF-treated (approximately 40%) skin. Nonetheless, vitamin E concentrations in irradiated TRF-treated skin were significantly higher than in the nonirradiated PEG-treated (control) skin (p < .01). Thus, UV-irradiation of skin destroys its antioxidants: however, prior application of TRF to mouse skin results in preservation of vitamin E.
Interactions between vitamin E homologues and ascorbate free radicals in murine skin homogenates irradiated with ultraviolet light
Kitazawa M, Podda M, Thiele J, Traber MG, Iwasaki K, Sakamoto K, Packer L.
Photochem Photobiol. 1997 Feb;65(2):355-65.
The mechanism of oxidation of ascorbic acid in mouse skin homogenates by UV light was investigated by measuring ascorbate free radical formation using electron spin resonance signal formation. Addition of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol or alpha-tocotrienol) had no effect, whereas short-chain homologues (2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-6-hydroxychroman-2-carboxylic acid [Trolox] and 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxychromane [PMC]) accelerated ascorbate oxidation. The similar hydrophilicity of ascorbate, Trolox and PMC increased their interaction, thus rapidly depleting ascorbate. When dihydrolipoic acid was added simultaneously with the vitamin E homologues, the accelerated ascorbate oxidation was prevented. This was due to the regeneration of ascorbate and PMC from their free radicals by a recycling mechanism between ascorbate, vitamin E homologues and dihydrolipoic acid. Potentiation of antioxidant recycling may be protective against UV irradiation-induced damage. The rate of ascorbate oxidation in the presence of vitamin E homologues was enhanced by a photosensitizer (riboflavin) but was not influenced by reactive oxygen radical quenchers, superoxide dismutase or 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide. These experimental results suggest that the UV irradiation-induced ascorbate oxidation in murine skin homogenates is caused by photoactivated reactions rather than reactive oxygen radical reactions.
The chemistry and antioxidant properties of tocopherols and tocotrienols
Kamal-Eldin A, Appelqvist LA.
Lipids. 1996 Jul;31(7):671-701.
This article is a review of the fundamental chemistry of the tocopherols and tocotrienols relevant to their antioxidant action. Despite the general agreement that alpha-tocopherol is the most efficient antioxidant and vitamin E homologue in vivo, there was always a considerable discrepancy in its “absolute” and “relative” antioxidant effectiveness in vitro, especially when compared to gamma-tocopherol. Many chemical, physical, biochemical, physicochemical, and other factors seem responsible for the observed discrepancy between the relative antioxidant potencies of the tocopherols in vivo and in vitro. This paper aims at highlighting some possible reasons for the observed differences between the tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-) in relation to their interactions with the important chemical species involved in lipid peroxidation, specifically trace metal ions, singlet oxygen, nitrogen oxides, and antioxidant synergists. Although literature reports related to the chemistry of the tocotrienols are quite meager, they also were included in the discussion in virtue of their structural and functional resemblance to the tocopherols.