Dietary Effect of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols on the Immune Function of Spleen and Mesenteric Lymph Node Lymphocytes in Brown Norway Rats

Abstract

The imm"noregulatory effects of dietary a-tocopherol (Toc) and tocotrienols (T-3) on humoral and cell-mediated immunity and cytokine productions were examined in Brewn Norwtty rats. We found that the IgA and IgG productivity of spleen and mesenteric lymph node anN) lymphocytes was significantly enhanced in the rats fed on Toc or T-3, irrespectiye of collcanavalin A (Cen A) stim"lation of the lymphocytes. On the contrary, the IgE preductiyity ef lymphecytes from the rats fed oll Tec or T-3 was less without Con A stimulation, but was greater in the presence of Con A, especially in the T-3 group. Toc or T-3 feeding signMcantly decreased the proportion of CD4' T cells and the ratio of CD4'!CD8' in both spleen and MLN lymphocytes of the rats fed on Toc or T-3. The interferon-7 productiyity ef MI.N lymphocytes was higher in the rats fed oll Toc or T-3 than in those fed on a control diet in the presence of Con A, while that of spleell lymphocytes was lower in the rats fed on Toc or T-3. I] addition, T-3 feeding decreased the productivity of tumor necrosis factor-a of spleen lymphocytes, while it enhanced the productiyity of MLN lymphocytes. These results sugges"hat oral administration of Tec and T-3 affects the proliferation and function of spleen and MLN lymphocytes.

Effect of Dietary Fiber on the Lipid Metabolism and Immune Function of Aged Sprague-Dawley Rats

“…15) These results suggest that various food components aŠected the Ig productivity of rat lymphocytes in a tissue-speciˆc manner. We have recently found that dietary tocotrienols were predominantly accumulated in MLN and some adipose tissues, while a-tocopherol was more widely distributed in various tissues.…”

Effects of supplementation with tocotrienol-rich fraction on immune response to tetanus toxoid immunization in normal healthy volunteers

“…It has been reported that tocotrienols have many beneficial health effects that are often not exhibited by tocopherols, such as anti-cancer (Nesaretnam et al, 2000(Nesaretnam et al, , 2004 and neuroprotective (Sen et al, 2000) properties. To date, there have been several studies highlighting the use of tocopherols to enhance the immune system in elderly human subjects (Meydani et al, 1997a, b), aged mice (Meydani et al, 1997a, b) and Brown Norway rats (Gu et al, 1999). However, the effects of tocotrienol on the human immune system following immunization have not been investigated.…”

Tocotrienol Levels in Various Tissues of Sprague-Dawley Rats after Intragastric Administration of Tocotrienols

“…T3 have been reported to have antioxidative, [1][2][3] hypocholesterolemic, 4) and immunoregulatory activities. 5,6) It is important to elucidate the T3 distribution to know how T3 function. The T3 distribution in animal tissues has been reported in the plasma 4 hr after an oral administration of T3 to hamsters.…”