Natural Vitamin E Supplementation during Pregnancy in Rats Increases RRR-α-Tocopherol Stereoisomer Proportion and Enhances Fetal Antioxidant Capacity, Compared to Synthetic Vitamin E Administration

Abstract

Introduction: Low dietary intake of vitamin E is a global public health issue. RRR-α-tocopherol (RRR-αT) is the only naturally occurring vitamin E stereoisomer, but the equimolecular mixture of all eight stereoisomers, synthetic vitamin E (S-αT), is commonly consumed. The objective of this study was to evaluate bioavailability and antioxidant activity of RRR-αT vs. S-αT, in both mother and fetus, after maternal supplementation during pregnancy. Methods: Female rats (7 weeks of age) received a modified AIN-93G diet supplemented with 75 IU/kg of RRR-αT (NVE, n=20) or S-αT (SVE, n=17). At delivery, the levels of αT, stereoisomer distribution and antioxidant capacity were analyzed in maternal and fetal plasma. Results: NVE administration significantly increased the proportion of RRR-αT stereoisomer in maternal and fetal plasma. The percentage of RRR-αT increased from 32.76% to 88.33% in maternal plasma, and 35.25% to 97.94% in fetal plasma, in the NVE group compared to SVE. Fetal plasma from the NVE group was found to have higher total antioxidant capacity compared to SVE. Lastly, fetal plasma RRR-αT stereoisomer percentage was positively associated with expression levels of scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) in the placenta. Conclusions: Both natural and synthetic sources of vitamin E showed similar bioavailability. Still, NVE supplementation increased the proportion of RRR-αT and promoted higher antioxidant activity in fetal plasma at birth. Placental SR-B1 might be involved in the stereoselective transfer of RRR-αT stereoisomer across the placenta and may improve αT bioactivity in the fetus.

Dietary Guanidine Acetic Acid Improves Ruminal Antioxidant Capacity and Alters Rumen Fermentation and Microflora in Rapid-Growing Lambs

“…Dietary additives with antioxidant features are often applied to avoid oxidative stress, especially during high-concentrate feeding [ 11 ]. Common antioxidant supplements include probiotic-based [ 12 ], selenium [ 13 ], and vitamin E [ 14 ]. As a nutritive additive, GAA donates an electron from its conjugate base and generates superoxide, a strong free radical [ 15 ], and may therefore be a direct pro-oxidant.…”

Quality parameters and lipid composition of oil extracted from spent coffee grounds: A promising alternative to vegetable oils used for consumption and cosmetic purposes

“…106 molecules of unsaturated fatty acids. Gázquez et al [55] reported that α-tocopherol had the highest antioxidant activity compared with the other tocopherol isomers. Later finding proved the important antioxidant capacity of SCG oil which had α-tocopherol as main component (31.1%).…”

Exploring the Role of Mediterranean and Westernized Diets and Their Main Nutrients in the Modulation of Oxidative Stress in the Placenta: A Narrative Review

“…Rat pups supplemented with vitamin E showed increased antioxidant activity in plasma. Researchers also found that some optimized formulas with enhanced bioavailability could achieve better results [161]. Moreover, a study conducted by Johnston et al aimed to prevent preeclampsia in type 1 diabetic women, given that placental oxidative status is greater in this condition.…”