Regulatory role of vitamin E in the immune system and inflammation

Abstract

Vitamin E, a potent lipid‐soluble antioxidant, found in higher concentration in immune cells compared to other cells in blood, is one of the most effective nutrients known to modulate immune function. Vitamin E deficiency has been demonstrated to impair normal functions of the immune system in animals and humans, which can be corrected by vitamin E repletion. Although deficiency is rare, vitamin E supplementation above current dietary recommendations has been shown to enhance the function of the immune system and reduce risk of infection, particularly in older individuals. The mechanisms responsible for the effect of vitamin E on the immune system and inflammation have been explored in cell‐based, pre‐clinical and clinical intervention studies. Vitamin E modulates T cell function through directly impacting T cell membrane integrity, signal transduction, and cell division, and also indirectly by affecting inflammatory mediators generated from other immune cells. Modulation of immune function by vitamin E has clinical relevance as it affects host susceptibility to infectious diseases such as respiratory infections, in addition to allergic diseases such as asthma. Studies examining the role of vitamin E in the immune system have typically focused on α‐tocopherol; however, emerging evidence suggests that other forms of vitamin E, including other tocopherols as well as tocotrienols, may also have potent immunomodulatory functions. Future research should continue to identify and confirm the optimal doses for individuals at different life stage, health condition, nutritional status, and genetic heterogeneity. Future research should also characterize the effects of non‐α‐alpha‐tocopherol vitamin E on immune cell function as well as their potential clinical application. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 71(4):487–494, 2019

An integrated vitamin E-coated polymer hybrid nanoplatform: A lucrative option for an enhanced in vitro macrophage retention for an anti-hepatitis B therapeutic prospect

“…CH is well-reputed neutral lipid commonly used in liposomes, heightening the packing of phospholipid molecules, rigidity and stabilization of liposomes [34]. GMS is a single-chained biocompatible self-assembly amphiphilic monoglyceryl ester, showing significant applications in drug delivery as self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymer lipid nanoparticles [35][36][37] Vitamin E, is a lipid soluble vitamin with antioxidant [38] and immunomodulatory activities [39]. It has been reported to improve the phagocytic potential of macrophage in broilers [40].…”

Enteral Bioactive Factor Supplementation in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review

“…Vitamin E is an important radical-scavenging antioxidant and has a regulatory role in the functioning of immune cells [ 48 , 49 ]. The effect of enteral vitamin E supplementation in preterm infants was assessed in three studies, all with a low sample size [ 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

COVID-19 Outbreak: Pathogenesis, Current Therapies, and Potentials for Future Management

“…Vitamin E deficiency in claves is associated with bovine CoV infection (Nonnecke et al, 2014). Vitamin E supplementation in individuals appears to restore the generation of IL-2, which enhances the proliferation of T-cell and boosting the immune system (Meydani et al, 2005;Lewis et al, 2019). According to the study of Ghani et al (2019) the supplementation of tocopherol or tocotrienol revealed increased expression of various genes connected with the immune response in Malaysian adults volunteers.…”