Dietary supplementation with tocotrienols enhances immune function in C57BL/6 mice

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Nutrition Science
• Gerontology

Background:

• Alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc) is known to improve T cell function.
• The effects of tocotrienols (T3), another form of vitamin E, on T cell function, especially in aging, are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of tocotrienols (T3) on T cell function in young and old mice.
• To compare the effects of T3 with alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc) on immune responses in aging.

Main Methods:

• Young and old mice were fed diets containing T3 or alpha-Toc for six weeks.
• Lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) were measured.
• In vitro studies assessed the effects of purified T3 on splenocyte proliferation.

Main Results:

• T3 supplementation significantly increased lymphocyte proliferation in old mice, but not in young mice.
• T3 feeding was associated with higher IL-1beta production in old mice.
• In vitro, all tested T3 forms enhanced lymphocyte proliferation in old mice, with a potency order of alpha- > gamma- > delta-T3.

Conclusions:

• Tocotrienols (T3) show a beneficial effect in improving age-related decline in T cell function.
• T3 may be a promising nutritional intervention to support immune health in aging individuals.