title: Effects of dietary sesame seeds on plasma tocopherol levels.
abstract: The tocopherols, the major vitamers of vitamin E, are believed to play a role in the prevention of human aging-related diseases such as cancer and heart disease, yet little is known concerning determinants of their plasma concentrations. Evidence from animal studies suggests that the dietary source of gamma-tocopherol can significantly affect plasma levels of this tocopherol as well as its functional vitamin E activity. To determine whether plasma levels of tocopherols in humans are similarly altered, a study was undertaken in which subjects (n = 9) were fed muffins containing equivalent amounts of gamma-tocopherol from sesame seeds, walnuts, or soy oil. We observed that consumption of as little as 5 mg of gamma-tocopherol per day over a three-day period from sesame seeds, but not from walnuts or soy oil, significantly elevated serum gamma-tocopherol levels (19.1% increase, p = 0.03) and depressed plasma beta-tocopherol (34% decrease, p = 0.01). No significant changes in baseline or postintervention plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or carotenoids were seen for any of the intervention groups. All subjects consuming sesame seed-containing muffins had detectable levels of the sesame lignan sesamolin in their plasma. Consumption of moderate amounts of sesame seeds appears to significantly increase plasma gamma-tocopherol and alter plasma tocopherol ratios in humans and is consistent with the effects of dietary sesame seeds observed in rats leading to elevated plasma gamma-tocopherol and enhanced vitamin E bioactivity.
authors.affiliation: University of Hawaii Cancer Research Center, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Cooney
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Custer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Okinaka
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Franke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D001939:Bread; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004149:Dioxoles; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis; D006801:Humans; D017705:Lignans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D012715:Sesame Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000737:chemistry; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000097:blood*; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004149:Dioxoles; D017705:Lignans; D013024:Soybean Oil; D012715:Sesame Oil; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; D024505:Tocopherols; C054125:sesamin