Making sense of antisense gene silencing

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies use small strands of DNA or RNA that are antisense, or complementary, to the associated gene to interfere with its expression. ASO therapies are already available for some diseases, particularly neurological disorders, but their use is at a very early stage. It is known that modifying ASOs chemically can improve the efficacy of the therapy. The team at TMDU had previously achieved gene silencing by attaching alpha-tocopherol (Toc) to ASOs. They then created Toc-HDOs by attaching Toc to DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotides, which are double-stranded molecules consisting of one strand of DNA and one strand of RNA. Toc-HDOs are more potent, stable, and efficiently taken up by target tissues than ASOs, and so have great therapeutic potential.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Annatto tocotrienol may help manage blood sugar: RCT

Supplementation with annatto-derived delta-tocotrienol may improve glucose control, inflammation and oxidative stress in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), says a new study from the National University of Medical Sciences in Pakistan.

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Tocotrienols Show Benefits for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Clinical Study

Delta-tocotrienol from annatto has been shown in a new clinical study to improve glycemic control, inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, according to a press release from American River Nutrition.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was published in Phytotherapy Research. It was performed on 110 patients with T2 diabetes. For 24 weeks, the patients received either a placebo or 250mg/day of DeltaGold tocotrienols. The participants were encouraged to perform regular physical activity, and continued using their typical hypoglycemic agents without insulin usage.

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What are the benefits of vitamin E for the skin?

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help fight free radicals, which are molecules that damage the DNA in cells. People can usually get adequate vitamin E from their diet, but it is also available in the form of supplements and skin care products.

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How COVID-19 revitalized interest in familiar letter vitamins

Back-to-basics As, Bs, and Cs (and Ds, and Ks, and Es) are basking in vitamins’ newfound glow.

Jia Zhang Lee, executive director, Davos Life Science (Singapore), notes that his company has seen a steady increase in demand for vitamin E tocotrienols in particular. “Research studies have shown that tocotrienols have positive health benefits in the management of hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes,” Lee notes. “These chronic conditions predispose individuals to the more severe form of COVID-19, and therefore there’s been growing interest in tocotrienol supplementation to help promote the prevention of these chronic diseases.”

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Singapore palm oil giant dispels “myths” and pushes health credentials

Singaporean palm oil company, Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), which is among the world’s largest palm oil-based agribusinesses, has stepped up efforts to “dispel misperceptions” while raising awareness about the health benefits of palm oil. These moves come amid the increase in consumer concerns about food safety and nutrition amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depending on the degree of refining – Wassell highlights that palm oil is a natural source of beta-carotene and tocotrienols (vitamin E).

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The Health Benefits of Tocotrienol

Tocotrienols are chemicals in the vitamin E family. Unlike other forms of vitamin E, tocotrienols are less commonly found in nature. Most of the food we eat contains tocopherols instead of tocotrienols, but several types of vegetable oils, like palm oil, contain high amounts of tocotrienols. Most vitamin E supplements contain tocopherols and not tocotrienols. Studies also suggest that tocotrienol is a more potent form of vitamin E than tocopherol. Research also tells us that tocotrienol has many health benefits.

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