title: Serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherol levels in atopic mothers and their infants are correlated.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamin E may have immunomodulatory properties beyond its antioxidant function. The objective here was to assess the alpha- and gamma-tocopherol status and its correlation between atopic mothers and their infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers with atopic disease were recruited at the end of gestation and their infants were followed up. Serum samples from mothers and infants were collected at the infants' age of 1 month. Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed during the 1st year of life and skin prick tests were performed at 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Infants' serum gamma- and alpha-tocopherol to fat ratios were significantly correlated with maternal serum ratios (r=0.70, p<0.0001 and r=0.52, p=0.004, respectively). In infants the serum alpha-tocopherol/fat was higher and the gamma-tocopherol/fat ratio lower than in mothers. Serum tocopherol levels were not associated with skin prick test reactions or atopic dermatitis in the infants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal tocopherol status determines that of the infant. Different tocopherol forms may have different serum levels and roles in the regulation of inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, Finland. ulla.hoppu@utu.fi
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hoppu
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salo-Väänänen
authors.forename: Anna-Maija
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lampi
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Isolauri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol