Vit E tocotrienols may reduce DNA damage 50%

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

Researchers from a Malaysia University and a tocotrienol-supplier,

report that daily intake of their tocotrienol-rich vitamin E

supplement (Tri E Tocotrienol) reduced DNA damage by 50%. (Keep in

mind that this study was sponsored at least in part by the

manufacturer to promote its product).

The article is informative in that it explains the different

components of vitamin E, and lists some food sources for tocotrienols.

Dave

++++++++++++++++++++

link:

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=79998-golden-hope-bioganic-to\

cotrienol-vitamin-e-dna-damage

full text:

Tocotrienol may protect against DNA damage, says study

By ls

9/24/2007- Tocotrienols, the less studied form of vitamin E, may

reduce DNA damage, considered an important trigger in cancer

development, by about 50 per cent, new research suggests.

Researchers from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and

tocotrienol-supplier, Golden Hope Bioganic, report that daily

supplementation with a tocotrienol-rich supplement (Tri E Tocotrienol)

showed greater effects in the older subjects, a sub-population with

higher rates of DNA damage.

" The effect of Tri E Tocotrienol is more obvious in older age,

possibly reflecting a greater need for supplementation or a greater

profound effect due to the larger amount of damage present, " wrote the

authors, led by Siok-Fong Chin, in the journal Nutrition.

There are eight forms of vitamin E: four tocopherols (alpha, beta,

gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta).

Alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc) is the main source found in supplements

and in the European diet, while gamma-tocopherol (gamma-Toc) is the

most common form in the American diet.

Tocotrienols (TCT) are only minor components in plants, although

several sources with relatively high levels include palm oil, cereal

grains and rice bran.

While the majority of research on vitamin E has focused on alpha-Toc,

studies into tocotrienols account for less than one per cent of all

research into vitamin E.

This is slowly changing, and the new study reports the results of a

randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled study with 64 subjects

aged 37 to 78 assigned to receive daily supplements of

tocotrienol-rich vitamin E (160 mg/d, Tri E Tocotrienol, Golden Hope

Bioganic) for six months. The supplement contained all four

tocotrienols and alpha-Toc in a ratio of 74:26 per cent, respectively.

The researchers report that white blood cells from patients receiving

the tocotrienol-rich supplement had significantly less DNA damage

after three and six months of supplementation than those in the

placebo group.

Significant reductions were also observed for urinary levels of

8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker for oxidative stress in

the supplementation group, relative to placebo.

Supplementation with the tocotrienol-rich vitamin E also reduced the

frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), an exchange of genetic

information between sister chromatids that may be related to tumours,

particularly in the older participants (over 50).

The mechanism of protection is related to oxidative stress and the

quenching of reactive oxygen species by vitamin E, said the

researchers. The free radical theory of ageing (FRTA) places free

radicals at the front of causes for deterioration of physiologic

function as people get older.

" The results obtained suggested that supplementation with palm oil Tri

E Tocotrienol reduced the level of DNA damage in healthy subjects,

with a more pronounced effect observed in older adults, " concluded the

researchers. " These observations may indicate a possible relation

between the molecular mechanisms involved in the formation and repair

of DNA breaks with Tri E Tocotrienol supplementation. "

Source: Nutrition (Elsevier)

Published on-line ahead of print, doi:10.1016/j.nut.2007.08.006

" Reduction of DNA damage in older healthy adults by Tri E Tocotrienol

supplementation "

Authors: Siok-Fong Chin, N.A. Abdul Hamid, A.A. Latiff, Z. Zakaria, M.

Mazlan, Y.A.M. Yusof, A.A.Karim, J. Ibahim, Z. Hamid and W.Z.W. Ngah