Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Modulates Amyloid Pathology and Improves Cognitive Function in AβPP/PS1 Mice.

Ibrahim NF, Yanagisawa D, Durani LW, Hamezah HS, Damanhuri H, Wan Ngah WZ, Tsuji M, Kiuchi Y, Ono K, Tooyama I.

J Alzheimers Dis. 2017;55(2):597-612.

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. The cardinal neuropathological characteristic of AD is the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) into extracellular plaques that ultimately disrupt neuronal function and lead to neurodegeneration. One possible therapeutic strategy therefore is to prevent Aβ aggregation. Previous studies have suggested that vitamin E analogs slow AD progression in humans. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF), a mixture of vitamin E analogs from palm oil, on amyloid pathology in vitro and in vivo. TRF treatment dose-dependently inhibited the formation of Aβ fibrils and Aβ oligomers in vitro. Moreover, daily TRF supplementation to AβPPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice for 10 months attenuated Aβ immunoreactive depositions and thioflavin-S-positive fibrillar type plaques in the brain, and eventually improved cognitive function in the novel object recognition test compared with control AβPPswe/PS1dE9 mice. The present result indicates that TRF reduced amyloid pathology and improved cognitive functions, and suggests that TRF is a potential therapeutic agent for AD.

Read More

Vitamin E: Emerging aspects and new directions

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

Free Radic Biol Med. 2017 Jan;102:16-36. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.09.017. Epub 2016 Nov 2.

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.

Read More

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of α-tocopherol loaded nanoliposome’s containing DHA and EPA.

Sahari MA, Moghimi HR, Hadian Z, Barzegar M, Mohammadi A.

Food Chem. 2017 Jan 15;215:157-64. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.07.139. Epub 2016 Jul 28.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to prepare α-tocopherol loaded nanoliposomes as carriers of DHA and EPA and to investigate their physicochemical properties, such as peroxide value (PV), volatile compounds (VOCs), particle size, size distribution, zeta potential and morphology of the liposomes. The particle size of liposomes was in the range of 82.4-107.2nm. The highest extent of lipid oxidation was observed at 40°C for 90days, with the lowest PV and propanal levels for a nanoliposome formulation in comparison with the control sample. The zeta potential of the nanoliposomes was decreased during storage. No significant change in the PV and zeta potential of the liposome formulations with α-tocopherol was observed at 4°C after 90days (0.14meq/kg and -43.5mV, respectively). This study demonstrated that incorporation of α-tocopherol into liposomes contributes a significant antioxidant effect on DHA and EPA.

Read More

Safety is our top priority – The STAR Online

THE palm oil industry is regularly confronted by misinformation which is then absorbed by the media and churned into a frenzy of inaccurate news articles and opinion pieces, designed ostensibly to inform and educate but achieving neither objective. Unfortunately, every so often, such misinformed frenzy is unsupported by facts. The recent hype on Nutella and the quoted cancer health concerns about palm oil is a classic case in point.

Read More

Malaysian Palm Oil Industry: Our Stand On The Nutella Ferrero Report and Misinformation about Palm Oil and Cancer

The palm oil industry is regularly confronted by misinformation which is then absorbed by the media and churned into a frenzy of inaccurate news articles and opinion pieces, designed ostensibly to inform and educate, but achieving neither objective. Unfortunately, ever so often, such misinformed frenzy is unsupported by facts. The recent hype on Nutella and the quoted cancer health concerns about palm oil is a classic case in point.

Read More

Metabolic Syndrome Latest: How To Get The Vitamin E You Need

Some people could need more vitamin E than others, including those suffering from a condition linked to obesity. A new study from researchers at Oregon State University has found that people with metabolic syndrome may require drastically higher amounts of vitamin E.

Metabolic syndrome is classified by a set of ailments that include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and obesity, Medical Daily previously reported. According to the International Diabetes Federation, about a quarter of the world’s adults have this syndrome.

Read More

Natural Source Vitamin E Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 – 2024

NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — This market research study analyzes the natural source vitamin E market on global basis and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2015 to 2024. It describes the market dynamics affecting the industry and estimates their impact during forecast period. Moreover, it highlights the opportunities for the growth of the market in the next eight years.

Read More

Inhibitory effects of γ- and δ-tocopherols on estrogen-stimulated breast cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Bak MJ, Das Gupta S, Wahler J, Lee HJ, Li X, Lee MJ, Yang CS, Suh N.

Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2017 Jan 17. pii: canprevres.0223.2016. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-16-0223. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

Estrogens have been implicated as complete carcinogens for breast and other tissues through mechanisms involving increased cell proliferation, oxidative stress and DNA damage. Because of their potent antioxidant activity and other effects, tocopherols have been shown to exert anti-tumor activities in various cancers. However, limited information is available on the effect of different forms of tocopherols in estrogen-mediated breast cancer. To address this, we examined the effects of α-, γ- and δ-tocopherols as well as a natural γ-tocopherol rich mixture of tocopherols, γ-TmT, on estrogen-stimulated MCF-7 cells in vitro and in vivo. For the in vivo studies, MCF-7 cells were injected into the mammary fat pad of immunodeficient mice previously implanted with estrogen pellets. Mice were then administered diets containing 0.2% α-, γ-, δ-tocopherol or γ-TmT for 5 weeks. Treatment with α-, γ-, δ-tocopherols and γ-TmT reduced tumor volumes by 29% (p<0.05), 45% (p<0.05), 41% (p<0.05) and 58% (p<0.01), as well as tumor weights by 20%, 37% (p<0.05), 39% (p<0.05) and 52% (p<0.05), respectively. γ- and δ-Tocopherols and γ-TmT inhibited the expression of cell proliferation-related genes such as cyclin D1 and c-Myc, and estrogen-related genes such as TFF/pS2, cathepsin D and progesterone receptor in estrogen-stimulated MCF-7 cells in vitro. Further, γ- and δ-tocopherols decreased the levels of estrogen-induced oxidative stress and nitrosative stress markers, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and nitrotyrosine, as well as the DNA damage marker, γ-H2AX. Our results suggest that γ- and δ-tocopherols and the γ-tocopherol rich mixture are effective natural agents for the prevention and treatment of estrogen-mediated breast cancer.

Read More

Vitamin C & E supplements may protect against age-related brain declines: Study

Supplements of vitamin C and E may reduce the risk of cognitive decline, according to data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.

Data collected over the period 1991-2002 for 5,269 people aged over 65 indicated that users of vitamin C and/or E supplements had a 23% reduced risk cognitive impairment, not dementia (CIND), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), or all-cause dementia.

“This study supports a protective role of vitamin E and C supplements in the risk for AD and all-cause dementia. In addition, these supplements may contribute to a reduced risk of CIND,” wrote researchers from the Center of Excellence for the Aging of Québec and the Center for Health Social Services of Chicoutimi in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy .

Read More

Millions of people with metabolic syndrome may need more vitamin E

New research has shown that people with metabolic syndrome need significantly more vitamin E – which could be a serious public health concern, in light of the millions of people who have this condition that’s often related to obesity. A study just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also made it clear that conventional tests to measure vitamin E levels in the blood may have limited accuracy compared to tests made in research laboratories, to the point that conventional tests can actually mask an underlying problem.

Read More