The role of vitamin E in immune response and disease resistance.
Vitamin E supplementation enhances humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and augments the efficiency of phagocytosis in laboratory animals, farm animals, and humans. In its disease protection effect vitamin E interacts with other antioxidant nutrients and with other nutrients in the diet. Other antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin A and beta carotene, also enhance disease resistance. Beta carotene is effective in combination with vitamin E. The optimal dose of vitamin E for maximum protection depends on many factors; thus it has to be established case by case. The delivery system of vitamin E greatly influences its effectiveness. A targeted delivery to localized immunocompetent cells in adjuvant formulations is far more effective than a general dispersed delivery in a diet. Vitamin E adjuvants provided greater immunoprotection against enterotoxemia and epididymitis in sheep than conventional vaccines.
Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
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Tengerdy
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019207:beta Carotene
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids