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Vitamin E supplementation decreases lung virus titers in mice infected with influenza
M G Hayek1, S F Taylor, B S Bender
1Department of Comparative Biology and Medicine, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
Abstract:
Effects of vitamin E (E) supplementation on influenza infection were examined in young and old C57BL/6NIA mice fed 30 or 500 ppm of E for 6 weeks and subsequently infected with influenza A/Port Chalmers/1/73 (H3N2). Old mice fed 30 ppm of E had significantly higher lung virus titers on days 2 and 7 after infection than young mice fed 30 ppm of E. Titers on all 3 days were significantly lower in old mice fed 500 ppm of E than in those fed 30 ppm. Significant effects of E on lung virus titers in young mice were observed on only day 5, but E caused more reduction of virus titers in old than in young mice (25-fold vs. 15-fold). An age-associated decline in NK cell activity was restored by 500 ppm of E in old but not young mice. Pulmonary cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity on day 7 was not affected by age or E. These experiments demonstrate that high doses of E significantly enhance influenza viral clearance in aged mice but only modestly affect young mice.
Insights
High doses of vitamin E (E) significantly improve influenza virus clearance in aged mice. While young mice show modest effects, older mice experience enhanced viral clearance and restored NK cell activity with vitamin E supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Aging is associated with a decline in immune function, increasing susceptibility to infections like influenza.
- Vitamin E (E) is an antioxidant with potential immunomodulatory effects.
- Understanding the impact of vitamin E on influenza infection in different age groups is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on influenza virus infection in young and aged mice.
- To determine if vitamin E can mitigate age-associated immune decline during viral infection.
Main Methods:
- Young and old C57BL/6NIA mice were fed diets containing 30 or 500 ppm of vitamin E for 6 weeks.
- Mice were subsequently infected with influenza A/Port Chalmers/1/73 (H3N2).
- Lung virus titers, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and pulmonary cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity were assessed.
Main Results:
- Old mice fed low-dose vitamin E (30 ppm) exhibited higher lung virus titers post-infection compared to young mice.
- High-dose vitamin E (500 ppm) significantly reduced lung virus titers in old mice, with a 25-fold reduction compared to a 15-fold reduction in young mice.
- Vitamin E supplementation at 500 ppm restored age-associated decline in NK cell activity in old mice, but not in young mice.
Conclusions:
- High-dose vitamin E supplementation significantly enhances influenza viral clearance in aged mice.
- Vitamin E demonstrates a more pronounced beneficial effect on viral clearance and immune function in older mice compared to younger mice.
- These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for high-dose vitamin E in managing influenza in the elderly.