Supplementation with natural forms of vitamin E augments antigen-specific TH1-type immune response to tetanus toxoid.
This study compared the ability of three forms of vitamin E [tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF), alpha-tocopherol (α-T), and delta-tocotrienol (δ-T3)] to enhance immune response to tetanus toxoid (TT) immunisation in a mouse model. Twenty BALB/c mice were divided into four groups of five mice each. The mice were fed with the different forms of vitamin E (1 mg) or vehicle daily for two weeks before they were given the TT vaccine [4 Lf] intramuscularly (i.m.). Booster vaccinations were given on days 28 and 42. Serum was collected (days 0, 28, and 56) to quantify anti-TT levels. At autopsy, splenocytes harvested were cultured with TT or mitogens. The production of anti-TT antibodies was augmented (P < 0.05) in mice that were fed with δ-T3 or TRF compared to controls. The production of IFN-γ and IL-4 by splenocytes from the vitamin E treated mice was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that from controls. The IFN-γ production was the highest in animals supplemented with δ-T3 followed by TRF and finally α-T. Production of TNF-α was suppressed in the vitamin E treated group compared to vehicle-supplemented controls. Supplementation with δ-T3 or TRF can enhance immune response to TT immunisation and production of cytokines that promote cell-mediated (TH1) immune response.
Pathology Division, Faculty of Medicine and Health, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia. ammu_radhakrishnan@imu.edu.my
Ammu Kutty
AK
Radhakrishnan
Dashayini
D
Mahalingam
Kanga Rani
KR
Selvaduray
Kalanithi
K
Nesaretnam
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D014810:Vitamin E; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma