Vitamin E and Cardiovascular Disease

2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (05) ◽  
pp. 758-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Marchioli

SummaryInterest in the use of antioxidants for the treatment of human disease, and in the role of dietary antioxidants in the prevention of disease development, has been sustained for at least two decades. Several anti-oxidant protective mechanisms exist and constitute a primary defensive system including enzymatic defences (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, which depend on the presence of ions such as selenium, zinc, copper, and manganese) and naturally occurring vita-mins such as vitamin E, vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. The most important natural antioxidants are vitamin E (in the form of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols), beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium (fundamental constituent of glutathione-peroxidase, i.e., an enzyme with antioxidant function). The first two are lipophilic substances whilst ascorbic acid is hydrophilic. Each antioxidant has a different important mechanism of action since oxidative damage can be caused by lipid- or water-soluble molecules. Lipid-soluble antioxidants are likely to be very important in preventing the peroxidation of low-density lipo-proteins (LDL) and this action could be paramount in the prevention of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, water-soluble antioxidants could be useful where a water-soluble oxidative stress occurs (e.g., inflammation). As lipophilic molecules, vitamin E and beta-carotene are incorporated into the LDL particle. Vitamin E is the main lipid-soluble chain-breaking antioxidant in plasma and tissues and converts the peroxyl-free radical to hydroperoxide, a less reactive radical. It acts as a first-line anti-oxidative defence of LDL particles, protecting unsatu-rated fatty acids from peroxidation. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid (precursor of vitamin A, pro-vitamin) that acts as scavenger of oxidising radicals such as singlet oxygen and is a second-line antioxidative defence of LDL cholesterol. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can react with singlet oxygen, superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, and is the first line of antioxi-dative defence in water-soluble compartments. In addition, it plays an important role in regenerating reduced -tocopherol.

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Lazzarino ◽  
Ilaria Listorti ◽  
Gabriele Bilotta ◽  
Talia Capozzolo ◽  
Angela Amorini ◽  
...  

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are physiologically involved in functions like sperm maturation, capacitation and acrosome reaction, but their excess is involved in male infertility. Antioxidants in seminal plasma (SP) are an important factor balancing physiologic and harmful ROS activities. In this study, we determined and compared the full profiles of the water- and fat-soluble antioxidants in SP and serum of 15 healthy fertile subjects (ranging between the ages of 35 and 42 years). Ejaculates were obtained after 2–5 days of sexual abstinence. After liquefaction and withdrawal of an aliquot for the sperm count, samples were centrifuged to obtain SP. Thirty min after semen donation, a venous blood sample was collected from each subject. Donors with lower SP concentrations of ascorbic acid (n = 5) or α-tocopherol (n = 5) received a 4 week oral administration of either vitamin C (100 mg/day) or vitamin E (30 mg/day). They were then re-assayed to determine the SP and serum levels of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol. SP and serum samples were properly processed and analyzed by HPLC methods suitable to determine water (ascorbic acid, glutathione (GSH) and uric acid) and fat-soluble (all-trans-retinoic acid, all-trans-retinol, α-tocopherol, carotenoids and coenzyme Q10) antioxidants. Data demonstrate that only ascorbic acid is higher in SP than in serum (SP/serum ratio = 4.97 ± 0.88). The other water-soluble antioxidants are equally distributed in the two fluids (GSH SP/serum ratio = 1.14 ± 0.34; uric acid SP/serum ratio = 0.82 ± 0.12). All fat-soluble antioxidants are about 10 times less concentrated in SP than in serum. In donors treated with vitamin C or vitamin E, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol significantly increased in both fluids. However, the SP/serum ratio of ascorbic acid was 4.15 ± 0.45 before and 3.27 ± 0.39 after treatment, whilst those of α-tocopherol were 0.11 ± 0.03 before and 0.10 ± 0.02 after treatment. The results of this study, by showing the peculiar composition in water- and fat-soluble antioxidants SP, indicate that it is likely that still-unknown mechanisms allow ascorbic acid accumulation in SP against a concentration gradient. SP mainly relies its defenses on water- rather than fat-soluble antioxidants and on the mechanisms ensuring their transfer from serum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Prince Oteng ◽  
John K. Otchere ◽  
Stephen Adusei ◽  
Richard Q. Mensah ◽  
Emmanuel Tei-Mensah

Tetrapleura tetraptera is widely cherished in African traditional homes because of its alleged therapeutic and nutritional properties. This present study aimed at determining the levels of vitamin A, C, E, and beta-carotene and trace element (Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Se, and Zn) concentrations and their extractabilities in the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit (mixture of pulp and seeds) of T. tetraptera. The total trace element concentration of Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn and their extractabilities (%) were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS), whereas UV-VIS spectrophotometer was used to determine selenium concentration. The trace element content (mg/kg) based on dry weight in the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit was Fe (162.00 ± 7.14, 115.00 ± 12.00, and 154.00 ± 25.20, respectively), Zn (31.60 ± 4.77, 43.40 ± 5.29, and 41.50 ± 8.97, respectively), Cu (16.10 ± 4.98, 11.90 ± 8.40, and 17.20 ± 14.50, respectively), Mn (55.30 ± 2.41, 156.00 ± 10.20, and 122.00 ± 5.29, respectively), Co (38.10 ± 6.40, 21.10 ± 7.15, and 44.00 ± 14.90, respectively), and Se (1.49 ± 0.17, 2.43 ± 0.28, and 2.97 ± 0.27 μg/g, respectively). The mineral extractabilities (%) in the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit of T. tetraptera were established to be in the order Co > Zn > Fe > Cu > Se > Mn. Also, the chromatographic method (HPLC) was used to evaluate vitamin E concentration, and vitamin C and concentration of beta-carotene were calculated from the obtained concentration of vitamin A using a conversion factor by the titrimetric method. From the results of vitamin analysis, a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed among the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit for vitamin C and E. However, no significant difference (p>0.05) was perceived among these plant parts for vitamin A and beta-carotene. This study has therefore revealed that the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit of T. tetraptera contain varying concentrations of vitamins and trace elements and has given many vital insights on which part of T. tetraptera to consume, as concentrations of these nutrients differ in the discrete parts of the fruit.


1998 ◽  
Vol 156 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Mutaku ◽  
MC Many ◽  
I Colin ◽  
JF Denef ◽  
MF van den Hove

The effects of the vitamins dl-alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and beta-carotene, free radical scavengers and lipid peroxidation inhibitors, were analyzed in male Wistar rats made goitrous by feeding a low iodine diet (< 20 micrograms iodine/kg) and perchlorate (1% in drinking water) for 4, 8, 16, and 32 days. Groups of control or goitrous rats received for at least 16 days before killing a diet containing 0.6% vitamin E (as dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate), 1.2% vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and 0.48% beta-carotene, either simultaneously (vitamin cocktail) or separately. This treatment led to a 5-fold increase of vitamin E in the thyroid gland, a 24-fold increase in the liver and a 3-fold increase in the plasma. In control rats, vitamin cocktail administration increased slightly the thyroid weight with little changes in thyroid function parameters. During iodine deficiency, administration of the vitamin cocktail or vitamin E alone reduced significantly the rate of increase in thyroid weight, and DNA and protein contents, as well as the proportion of [3H]thymidine labeled thyroid follicular cells, but not that of labeled endothelial cells. Plasma tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine, TSH levels, thyroid iodine content and concentration as well as relative volumes of glandular compartments were not modified. The proportion of necrotic cells rose from 0.5% in normal animals to about 2% after 16 days of goiter development. No significant protective effect of the vitamins was observed. These results suggest that these vitamins, particularly vitamin E, modulate one of the regulatory cascades involved in the control of thyroid follicular cell growth, without interfering with the proliferation of endothelial cells.


1998 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jussara Personelle ◽  
Ewaldo Bolivar de Souza Pinto ◽  
Rog&#x000E9;rio Oliveira Ruiz

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 54-60
Author(s):  
D. R.  Useynov ◽  
E. F. Chelebiev ◽  
О. A. Denisova

The article presents data on the study of the effect of foliar water-soluble mineral fertilizer NOVATEK Solub K-Max 10-5-30 on the biochemical composition and commercial quality of apple fruits. A rise in vitamin C from the introduction of NOVATEK at a rate of 2.5 kg/ha indicates the effectiveness of this drug for optimizing the content of ascorbic acid in fruits. An increase in the content of monosaccharides and a decrease in disaccharides were found for all the studied rates of consumption of agrochemicals. The use of mineral fertilizer “Novatek Solub K-Max” contributed to increase the dry weight of fruits. The application of this mineral fertilizer is recommended for inclusion in the industry regulations for Apple cultivation as one of the elements of the technology. 


2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne Chantal Essama-Tjani ◽  
Jean-Claude Guilland ◽  
Françoise Fuchs ◽  
Marie Lombard ◽  
Dominique Richard

Vitamin status was assessed in 26 recently institutionalized elderly subjects by combining dietary and biochemical measurements of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, beta-carotene, vitamins C, A, D and E at admission (P1), and 1.5 (P2), 3.0 (P3), 4.5 (P4), 6.0 (P5), 12 (P6) months later. At admission, except for vitamin A, mean vitamin intakes were lower than the 1992 French Recommended Dietary Allowance. Thiamin, vitamins C, A and E status seemed nearly satisfactory as less than one-fourth of the population sample had blood values lower than the cut-off point for thiamin (erythrocyte thiamin pyrophosphate < 0.17 mumol/l), vitamin A (serum retinol < 1.05 mumol/l), vitamin C (serum vitamin C < 11.3 mumol/l) and vitamin E (serum alpha-tocopherol < 9.3 mumol/l) or higher than the cut-off point for thiamin (erythrocyte transketolase activity coefficient > 1.19). Almost half of the subjects for riboflavin, and almost all non supplemented subjects for vitamin D were in risk of vitamin deficiency (46% had an erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient > 1.19 and 72% had a plasma 25(OH)D3 < 25 nmol/l). During the study, vitamins status remained unchanged for riboflavin, niacin, vitamins A, D and E, improved for vitamin C (P = 0.004) or impaired for thiamin (P = 0.008). Thus, institutionalization seemed to have no effect on riboflavin, niacin, vitamins A, D and E status and a slight effect on thiamin and vitamin C status.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212094053
Author(s):  
Md. Mustafa Kamal ◽  
Farina Aziz ◽  
Md. Rabiul Islam ◽  
Monira Ahsan ◽  
Sheikh Nazrul Islam

Introduction: Acute respiratory infection is a major cause of death for under-5 children in Bangladesh. We aimed to analyze the effect of immunonutritional status, healthcare factors, and lifestyle on the incidence of acute respiratory infection among under-5 children taking individual-level and contextual-level risk factors into consideration. Methods: This study recruited 200 children suffering from acute respiratory infection and 100 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and sociodemographic profile. Serum antioxidant vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) were assessed along with the impact of vaccination, socioeconomic factors, and Z-score on the incidence of acute respiratory infection. Results: Serum antioxidant vitamins were significantly lower in the acute respiratory infection children compared to the non–acute respiratory infection group. Vitamin A was found to be significantly high in acute respiratory infection children who were breastfed for more than 1 year. Vitamin E levels were found to be significantly higher in the acute respiratory infection children who were immunized. Compared to the children living in tin-shed house or huts, serum vitamin E level increased in those acute respiratory infection children who resided in apartments. Vitamin A level was significantly high in those acute respiratory infection children whose height-for-age was −2 SD and above ( Z-score), and vitamin C levels were also significantly high in those acute respiratory infection children whose weight-for-height was −2 SD and below ( Z-score). Conclusion: Deficiencies of antioxidant vitamins along with healthcare and lifestyle factors have a significant influence on the incidence of acute respiratory infection among under-5 children in Bangladesh.


2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 688-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Mehta ◽  
B . D. Sharma ◽  
R. R. Kumar ◽  
Pavan Kumar ◽  
Om Prakash Malav ◽  
...  

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to develop a chicken product that could supply calcium, vitamin E and vitamin C together with high sensory acceptability. The present study was envisaged to develop low-fat chicken patties fortified with calcium, vitamin E and vitamin C without any adverse effects on sensory attributes. Design/methodology/approach – Three different levels of calcium lactate as a source of calcium viz. 1.5, 1.75 and 2.0 per cent, α-tocopherol acetate for vitamin E at 0.019, 0.023 and 0.029 per cent and ascorbic acid for vitamin C at 0.09, 0.12 and 0.15 per cent in low-fat chicken meat patties were tried and the optimum level was standardized based on physico-chemical, proximate and sensory parameters. Findings – The calcium lactate at 1.75 per cent, α-tocopherol acetate at 0.029 per cent and ascorbic acid at 0.15 per cent were found to be optimum on the basis of proximate, physico-chemical and sensory parameters. The textural attributes of the standardized product was comparable to that of the control. The a*, b* and Chroma values for the low-fat chicken patties fortified with calcium, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of the control. The calcium and ascorbic acid concentration of the standardized product was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of the control. Originality/value – The levels in the fortified product were found to be suitable to achieve a 20 per cent RDA of calcium and almost a complete RDA for vitamin C. The research findings demonstrated the development of a single-designer chicken product rich in calcium, vitamin C and vitamin E.


1996 ◽  
Vol 13 (05) ◽  
pp. 287-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahed Ziari ◽  
Veronica Mireles ◽  
Cynthia Cantu ◽  
Miguel Cervantes ◽  
Audu Idrisa ◽  
...  

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