Could nanotechnology make vitamin E therapeutically effective?

Stabilizer-free Vitamin E Nanovehicle for Biological Research

In molecular biology research, a vitamin E (VE) vehicle (VE dissolved in organic solvent) is often added to water media without a stabilizer. However, the detailed behavior of VE colloids in water media is unclear. In this study, we reveal that VE nanoemulsion readily forms in water-based media through the existing protocol. The colloid size was changed from 39 nm to the submicron scale by adjusting the initial concentration of the VE solution and adding a buffer. The radical scavenging effect of the dispersed nanosized VEs is comparable to that of the water-soluble antioxidant Trolox, providing excellent antioxidant performance in colloid form. The cytoprotection effect of the VE colloids under a lipid oxidation condition largely depends on the size of the nanodispersion. Smaller dispersed particles are more efficient radical scavengers than larger particles for a constant VE amount owing to sophisticated uptake behavior of cell. This unveiled fundamental knowledge pave the way for a preparative protocol of stabilizer-free VE vehicles, which are expected to become widely used in molecular biology research.

Vitamin E in Atopic Dermatitis: From Preclinical to Clinical Studies

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress and inflammation are some of the proposed mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Current pharmacotherapeutic approaches are effective yet they are not without adverse effects. Vitamin E has great potential as an adjunctive treatment for AD owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities.

SUMMARY

This review article summarizes the current available evidence from cellular, animal and clinical studies on the relationship between vitamin E and AD. The future prospects of vitamin E are also discussed. Vitamin E in practice does not show any toxicity to humans within a range of reasonable dosage. Albeit rarely, vitamin E as a contact allergen should be considered. Collectively, this review envisaged vitamin E as an adjunctive treatment for AD patients. Future research on the distinct effects of different vitamin E isoforms as well as their delivery system in skin disorders is needed.

Vitamin E: Regulatory role in the cardiovascular system

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality, all around the world. Vitamin E is an important nutrient influencing key cellular and molecular mechanisms as well as gene expression regulation centrally involved in the prevention of CVD. Cell culture and animal studies have focused on the identification of vitamin E regulated signaling pathways and involvement on inflammation, lipid homeostasis, and atherosclerotic plaque stability. While some of these vitamin E functions were verified in clinical trials, some of the positive effects were not translated into beneficial outcomes in epidemiological studies. In recent years, the physiological metabolites of vitamin E, including the liver derived (long- and short-chain) metabolites and phosphorylated (α-, γ-tocopheryl phosphate) forms, have also provided novel mechanistic insight into CVD regulation that expands beyond the vitamin E precursor. It is certain that this emerging insight into the molecular and cellular action of vitamin E will help to design further studies, either in animal models or clinical trials, on the reduction of risk for CVDs. This review focuses on vitamin E-mediated preventive cardiovascular effects and discusses novel insights into the biology and mechanism of action of vitamin E metabolites in CVD. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(4):507-515, 2019.