Vitamin E–gene interactions in aging and inflammatory age-related diseases: Implications for treatment. A systematic review

Abstract

Aging is a complex biological phenomenon in which the deficiency of the nutritional state combined with the presence of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to the development of many age-related diseases. Under this profile, the free radicals produced by the oxidative stress lead to a damage of DNA, lipids and proteins with subsequent altered cellular homeostasis and integrity. In young-adult age, the cell has a complex efficient system to maintain a proper balance between the levels of free radicals and antioxidants ensuring the integrity of cellular components. In contrast, in old age this balance is poorly efficient compromising cellular homeostasis. Supplementation with Vitamin E can restore the balance and protect against the deteriorating effects of oxidative stress, progression of degenerative diseases, and aging. Experiments in cell cultures and in animals have clearly shown that Vitamin E has a pivotal role as antioxidant agent against the lipid peroxidation on cell membranes preserving the tissue cells from the oxidative damage. Such a role has been well documented in immune, endothelial, and brain cells from old animals describing how the Vitamin E works both at cytoplasmatic and nuclear levels with an influence on many genes related to the inflammatory/immune response. All these findings have supported a lot of clinical trials in old humans and in inflammatory age-related diseases with however contradictory and inconsistent results and even indicating a dangerous role of Vitamin E able to affect mortality. Various factors can contribute to all the discrepancies. Among them, the doses and the various isoforms of Vitamin E family (α,β,γ,δ tocopherols and the corresponding tocotrienols) used in different trials. However, the more plausible gap is the poor consideration of the Vitamin E-gene interactions that may open new roadmaps for a correct and personalized Vitamin E supplementation in aging and age-related diseases with satisfactory results in order to reach healthy aging and longevity. In this review, this peculiar nutrigenomic and/or nutrigenetic aspect is reported and discussed at the light of specific polymorphisms affecting the Vitamin E bioactivity.

Immune Nutrient Content of Sea Urchin (<i>Diadema setosum</i>) Gonads

“…Vitamin E deficiency can cause neurological disorders, fat malabsorption, formation of atherosclerotic plaques and arthritis [17]. Diet of vitamin E can restore cellular homeostasis balance, protection against the effects of oxidative stress, the development of degenerative diseases, and aging process [18]. In this analysis, a high vitamin E (23.47 mg) in 100 gr Diadema setosum gonads was found.…”

The Two Sides of Vitamin E Supplementation

“…Ttpa -/- mice displayed ataxia, age-related behavior defects and infertility due to reduced α-tocopherol levels, which were rescued by dietary supplementation with α-tocopherol. Because the phenotypes of Ttpa -/- mice resemble vitamin E-deficient disorders, Ttpa -/- mice have been widely used as a model of vitamin E deficiency to analyze the pathophysiological role of vitamin E [1]. Ttpa -/- mice have an increase in bone mass due to a decrease in bone resorption, which is evident by a decrease in the osteoclast surface and serum deoxypyridinoline, a bone resorption marker.…”

“…Vitamin E, which is a mixture of tocopherols and tocotrienols, is absorbed from food and transported to the liver. In the liver, the α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP) mediates the selective transfer of α-tocopherol into lipoproteins [1]. Of the vitamin E congeners, α-tocopherol is the most prevalent congener in mammalian tissue and serum, and it possesses the highest bioactivity.…”

“…Therefore, clarifying the pathophysiological mechanisms and developing a novel diagnostic procedure and therapeutic approach for these diseases is an urgent necessity. A number of studies have revealed that oxidative stress is a major pathogenic mediator in aging-associated diseases and that antioxidants are potential therapeutic agents [1]. …”

Exploring the potential of an Andean fruit : an interdisciplinary study on the cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) value chain

“…The mechanisms involved in the health promotion are, as vitamin C, the inhibition of the formation of N-nitroso compounds in the stomach, the protection of selenium against reduction and polyunsaturated fatty acids in lipid membranes from oxidative damage. Vitamin E is thought to be the most important antioxidant found within lipid membranes in the body [130].…”