Mixed tocotrienols supplementation increases tocotrienols in the brain and other vital organs, study shows
Highlights
- Mixed tocotrienols supplementation significantly increases tocotrienol levels in blood, skin, adipose, brain, cardiac muscle, and liver over time
- Effective dosage is 200 mg/day, twice daily, for at least 12 weeks
- More than 90% participant compliance with supplementation
Summary
This study was designed to measure the tissue and organ uptake of supplemental vitamin E given either in the tocopherol (TCP) or tocotrienol (TE) form, the two chemical classes of natural vitamin E.
For this study, researchers studied a total of 80 adults who were given either mixed tocotrienols (200 mg, twice daily) or alpha-tocopherol (200 mg, twice daily). Skin and blood vitamin E levels were determined from healthy participants (n=16) following 12 weeks of oral supplementation. Vital organ vitamin E levels were determined by HPLC in adipose, brain, cardiac muscle, and liver tissue of surgical patients following supplementation (mean duration, 20 wk; range, 1-96 wk). Participant compliance with supplementation was reported to be over 90%.
Results indicate that oral supplementation of TE significantly increased levels of TE in blood, skin, adipose, brain, cardiac muscle, and liver over time. Moreover, alpha-TE was delivered to the brain at a level reported to be neuroprotective in experimental models of stroke.
In prospective liver transplantation patients, oral TE lowered the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in 50% of patients supplemented, while only 20% of TCP-supplemented patients showed a reduction in MELD score.
These findings indicate mixed tocotrienols supplementation (200 mg, twice daily) increases the level of tocotrienols in vital organs, including brain, and may offer clinical value for liver transplant patients.
