Supplementation with Natural Forms of Vitamin E Augments Antigen-Specific TH1-Type Immune Response to Tetanus Toxoid

Abstract

This study compared the ability of three forms of vitamin E [tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF), alpha-tocopherol (α-T), and delta-tocotrienol (δ-T3)] to enhance immune response to tetanus toxoid (TT) immunisation in a mouse model. Twenty BALB/c mice were divided into four groups of five mice each. The mice were fed with the different forms of vitamin E (1 mg) or vehicle daily for two weeks before they were given the TT vaccine [4 Lf] intramuscularly (i.m.). Booster vaccinations were given on days 28 and 42. Serum was collected (days 0, 28, and 56) to quantify anti-TT levels. At autopsy, splenocytes harvested were cultured with TT or mitogens. The production of anti-TT antibodies was augmented (P < 0.05) in mice that were fed with δ-T3 or TRF compared to controls. The production of IFN-γ and IL-4 by splenocytes from the vitamin E treated mice was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that from controls. The IFN-γ production was the highest in animals supplemented with δ-T3 followed by TRF and finally α-T. Production of TNF-α was suppressed in the vitamin E treated group compared to vehicle-supplemented controls. Supplementation with δ-T3 or TRF can enhance immune response to TT immunisation and production of cytokines that promote cell-mediated (TH1) immune response.

Regulatory role of vitamin E in the immune system and inflammation

“…Vitamin E has also been demonstrated to play a role in production of cytokines. Consistent with models of respiratory infection, vitamin E supplementation in healthy mice (4–6 weeks) promotes Th1 response, by increasing production of IFN‐γ and decreasing production of pro‐inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α . In LPS‐stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, vitamin E supplementation appears to reduce the inflammatory response by reducing pro‐inflammatory cytokines including IL‐1β, IL‐6 and TNF‐α from monocytes .…”

Natural forms of vitamin E: metabolism, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities and their role in disease prevention and therapy

“…Radhakrishnan AK et al [129] examined potential effects of αT, δTE and mixed tocotrienols on tetanus toxoid immunization in mice. These vitamin E forms were capable of enhancing production of antibodies against tetanus toxoid with relative effectiveness of δTE > mixed tocotrienols > αT.…”

Bioactive Compounds: Natural Defense Against Cancer?

“…TRF contains three main isoforms of tocotrienol, which are αT3 (29%), γT3 (28%) and δT3 (14%) isomers [119]. Tocotrienols are reported to possess anti-thrombotic [120], antioxidant [121], neuroprotective [122] and cardio-protective [123] activities as well as immune modulatory [124,125] properties. Both cell-based and experimental model studies have suggested that tocotrienols also possess anti-tumor properties as these compounds can inhibit proliferation of many cancer cell lines including prostate [126], breast [127], skin [128], colon [129], stomach [130], pancreatic [131], liver [132] and lung [133] cancers.…”

“…Both cell-based and experimental model studies have suggested that tocotrienols also possess anti-tumor properties as these compounds can inhibit proliferation of many cancer cell lines including prostate [126], breast [127], skin [128], colon [129], stomach [130], pancreatic [131], liver [132] and lung [133] cancers. The anticancer effects induced by tocotrienol are reported to be mediated through apoptosis [134], anti-angiogenesis [135], anti-proliferative [136] and/or immunoregulation [125]. Tocotrienol isoforms inhibited proliferation of human breast cancer cells in the following order: αT3 < TRF < γT3 < δT3 [137].…”