title: Tocotrienol rich fraction supplementation improved lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy older adults: A randomized controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamin E supplements containing tocotrienols are now being recommended for optimum health but its effects are scarcely known. The objective was to determine the effects of Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) supplementation on lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy older individuals at a dose of 160 mg/day for 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-two subjects were recruited from two age groups: 35-49 years (n = 31) and above 50 years (n = 31), and randomly assigned to receive either TRF or placebo capsules for six months. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 3rd and 6th months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HDL-cholesterol in the TRF-supplemented group was elevated after 6 months (p < 0.01). Protein carbonyl contents were markedly decreased (p < 0.001), whereas AGE levels were lowered in the > 50 year-old group (p < 0.05). Plasma levels of total vitamin E particularly tocopherols were significantly increased in the TRF-supplemented group after 3 months (p < 0.01). Plasma total tocotrienols were only increased in the > 50 year-old group after receiving 6 months of TRF supplementation. Changes in enzyme activities were only observed in the > 50 year-old group. SOD activity was decreased after 3 (p < 0.05) and 6 (p < 0.05) months of TRF supplementation whereas CAT activity was decreased after 3 (p < 0.01) and 6 (p < 0.05) months in the placebo group. GPx activity was increased at 6 months for both treatment and placebo groups (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed improvement of plasma cholesterol, AGE and antioxidant vitamin levels as well as the reduced protein damage may indicate a restoration of redox balance after TRF supplementation, particularly in individuals over 50 years of age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. zurina@medic.ukm.my.
authors.forename: Siok-Fong
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Johari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ibahim
authors.forename: Suzana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Makpol
authors.forename: Noor Aini
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Abdul Hamid
authors.forename: Azian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdul Latiff
authors.forename: Zaiton
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zakaria
authors.forename: Musalmah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazlan
authors.forename: Yasmin Anum
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Mohd Yusof
authors.forename: Aminuddin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdul Karim
authors.forename: Wan Zurinah
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Wan Ngah