Tocotrienols in cardioprotection.
Tocotrienols, a group of Vitamin E stereoisomers, offer many health benefits including their ability to lower cholesterol levels, and provide anticancer and tumor-suppressive activities. Several recent studies determined the cardioprotective abilities of tocotrienols, although the number is only 1% compared to the study with tocopherols. Both in acute perfusion experiments and in chronic models, tocotrienols attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, artherosclerosis, and reduced ventricular arrythmias. Apart from the antioxidative role of tocotrienols, it appears that tocotrienols mediated cardioprotection is also achieved through the preconditioning-like effect, the best yet devised method of cardioprotection. Hence, tocotrienols likely fulfills the definition of a pharmacological preconditioning agent and give a tremendous opportunity to place tocotrienols as an important therapeutic option in cardiovascular system.
Das
Samarjit
S
Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA.
Nesaretnam
Kalanithi
K
Das
Dipak K
DK
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D024508:Tocotrienols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000975:Antioxidants; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D024508:Tocotrienols