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Changes in vitamin E concentrations in human plasma and platelets with age.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Vitamin E (tocopherols) may slow aging. This study found plasma gamma-tocopherol and platelet tocopherol levels significantly decrease with age in healthy men, suggesting a role in the aging process.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Vitamin E, comprising tocopherols, is theorized to possess anti-aging properties.
- Investigating age-related changes in tocopherol levels is crucial for understanding its role in aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how concentrations of tocopherols in human plasma and platelets change with advancing age.
- To determine if specific tocopherol forms (alpha and gamma) are affected differently by the aging process.
Main Methods:
- Collected fasting blood samples from 48 healthy male volunteers across a wide age range (24-91 years).
- Quantified tocopherol concentrations in plasma and platelets using a validated liquid chromatographic method.
Main Results:
- Alpha and gamma tocopherols were identified as the predominant forms of vitamin E in both plasma and platelets.
- Plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and total tocopherols showed no significant age-related decline.
- Significant decreases in plasma gamma-tocopherol and platelet alpha-, gamma-, and total tocopherol concentrations were observed with increasing age.
- The ratios of platelet to plasma tocopherol concentrations also declined significantly with age.
Conclusions:
- Aging is associated with a significant reduction in gamma-tocopherol in plasma and all measured tocopherol forms in platelets.
- These findings suggest that tocopherol metabolism or distribution is altered during the aging process in men.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the functional implications of these age-related tocopherol changes.