Vitamin E, γ-tocopherol, diminishes ex vivo basophil response to dust mite allergen

Epidemiologic studies suggest that dietary vitamin E is a candidate intervention for atopic disease. We used in vitro and ex vivo exposures to test the hypothesis that the most common dietary isoform of vitamin E, γ-tocopherol (γT), could suppress FcεRI-mediated basophil activation. Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-SX38 cells that express human FcεRI were treated with or without γT, followed by stimulation with α-IgE. In the ex vivo study, 20 Der f 1-allergic volunteers consumed a γT-enriched supplement for 7 days. Their basophils were challenged ex vivo with α-IgE and graded doses of Der f 1 before and after the supplementation period. γt treatment of RBL-SX38 cells significantly reduced basophil degranulation and de novo TH2 cytokine production. Daily consumption of a γT-rich supplement by dust mite-allergic volunteers reduced basophil activation after ex vivo dust mite challenge. Vitamin E supplements rich in γT may be useful adjuncts in decreasing atopic disease.