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Clinical evaluation of alpha-tocopherol in buccal mucosal cells of children
Insights
Newborns have lower tocopherol levels in plasma and buccal cells than adults. Supplementation with RRR-alpha-tocopherol increased buccal cell tocopherol more than plasma or red blood cell levels.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E) status is crucial for health, particularly in vulnerable populations like newborns.
- Understanding tocopherol distribution across different cell types and its response to supplementation is essential for optimizing nutritional strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare tocopherol concentrations in plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), and buccal mucosal cells across different age groups (newborns, children, adults).
- To investigate the impact of RRR-alpha-tocopherol supplementation on tocopherol levels in various tissues.
- To examine tocopherol levels in relation to obesity and lipid profiles in children.
Main Methods:
- Tocopherol concentrations were measured in plasma, RBCs, and buccal mucosal cells from newborn infants, children, and adults.
- Young adults received daily RRR-alpha-tocopherol (600 mg) for three months, with tocopherol levels monitored over time.
- Tocopherol levels were also assessed in obese and non-obese children with varying lipid profiles.
Main Results:
- Newborn infants exhibited significantly lower tocopherol concentrations in plasma and buccal cells compared to adults, with many newborns falling below normal RBC tocopherol limits.
- Adult RRR-alpha-tocopherol supplementation led to a greater than fourfold increase in buccal cell tocopherol, while RBC and plasma levels showed less than a threefold increase.
- Buccal cell tocopherol levels correlated poorly with plasma and RBC levels, but the tocopherol/lipid ratio showed a strong correlation.
- Obese children, especially those with hyperlipidemia, displayed lower buccal cell and RBC tocopherol levels alongside higher plasma tocopherol concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Newborns are at risk for suboptimal tocopherol status, highlighting the need for nutritional assessment.
- Buccal mucosal cells may serve as a valuable indicator for long-term tocopherol status, showing a distinct response to supplementation compared to plasma and RBCs.
- Obesity and hyperlipidemia in children are associated with altered tocopherol distribution, suggesting potential implications for vitamin E status in these conditions.
Abstract:
1. Tocopherol concentrations in plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), and buccal mucosal cells were examined in newborn infants (before feeding), children (2-15 years old), and adults. Tocopherol concentrations in adults and newborn infants showed the greatest difference in plasma and the smallest difference in RBC. Buccal cell tocopherol concentrations in adults were 2.3 times higher than those in infants. The majority of newborn infants had RBC tocopherol levels below the normal limit (115 micrograms/100 ml of packed cells). Also, more than one third of buccal cell tocopherol levels determined in newborn infants were below a level of 15 ng/mg protein, which was determined as the lower limit of normal in healthy children on the basis of the testing of 97 samples. 2. After administration of a daily dose of 600 mg of RRR-alpha-tocopherol for three months to young adults, tocopherol levels in buccal mucosal cells reached a level of more than 4 times the basal level after rising throughout the 3-month period, while levels in RBC and plasma showed less than a 3-fold increase and reached a maximum within one month. Buccal cell tocopherol levels showed a poor correlation to the RBC and plasma tocopherol levels, while the tocopherol/lipid ratio was closely correlated with RBC and plasma tocopherol levels. After a single dose of 600 mg of RRR-alpha-tocopherol, RBC and plasma tocopherol concentrations reached a maximum within 24 hours, while buccal cell tocopherol did so 4 to 6 days later. 3. Very obese children and hyperlipemic obese children showed lower buccal cell tocopherol levels, accompanied by lower RBC tocopherol levels and higher plasma tocopherol levels, when compared with non-obese children and normolipemic obese children.