Supplementation with Natural Forms of Vitamin E Augments Antigen-Specific TH1-Type Immune Response to Tetanus Toxoid

الملخص EN

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.