Vitamin E has been a generic term for all tocopherol and tocotrienol derivatives. The most active form of vitamin E isoforms in vivo is regarded to be alpha-tocopherol which is the only form defined as vitamin E in the US Food and Nutrition Board, causing controversy over setting dietary reference intake (DRI) of vitamin E. However, most of the countries other than the US maintain the original concept that all isoforms are accepted as vitamin E but with different biopotency. The roles of the isoforms of vitamin E other than alpha-tocopherol have received continuous attention. Among them those of gamma-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol have been most studied in comparison with alpha-tocopherol, since gamma-tocopherol comprises major form of vitamin E in many plant seeds and those of the both vitamin E have been implicated in unique physiological functions. This review summarizes findings that have led a better understanding of vitamin E absorption, transport, tissue storage and various functions common and specific to vitamin E isoforms focusing alpha- and gamma-tocopherol as well as tocotrienols. It is expected to help redefining vitamin E and setting its DRI for Koreans.
Absorption ; alpha-Tocopherol ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Plants ; Protein Isoforms ; Seeds ; Tocopherols ; Tocotrienols ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

To determine vitamin A and E intakes and their food sources, dietary intakes were collected by three consecutive 24-hour recalls from 192 adults living in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, Korea. The mean vitamin A, retinol and beta-carotene intakes were 1240.1 +/- 1101.1 microg retinol equivalent/day (693.3 +/- 563.2 microg retinol activity equivalent/day), 182.6 +/- 149.5 microg/day and 5443.3 +/- 6365.5 microg/day, respectively. Only 9.4% of the subjects consumed less than the Korean Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin A. The mean vitamin E intake was 6.03 +/- 2.54 mg alpha-tocopherol equivalent/day. The alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol intakes were 4.83 +/- 2.03 and 5.57 +/- 3.41 mg/day, respectively. Most of the subjects (93.8%) consumed less than the Korean Adequate Intake for vitamin E. The major food sources of vitamin A were sweet potato, carrot, red pepper powder, spinach, and citrus fruit, and the top 30 foods provided 91.5% of total Plant foods provided 81.0% and animalderived foods 10.5% of the vitamin A intake from the top 30 foods. The major food sources of vitamin E were soybean oil, red pepper powder, Ramyeon (cup noodles), spinach, and egg. The top 30 foods provided 78.0% of total vitamin E intake. Plant foods provided 61.3% and animal-derived foods 15.9% of the vitamin E intake from the top 30 foods. In conclusion, the vitamin A intake of the Korean adults in this study was ge-nerally adequate, but the vitamin E intake of many subjects was inadequate. Therefore, nutritional education may be of benefit to Korean adults to increase their vitamin E intake.
Adult ; alpha-Tocopherol ; beta Carotene ; Capsicum ; Carotenoids ; Citrus ; Daucus carota ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Humans ; Ipomoea batatas ; Korea ; Ovum ; Plants ; Soybean Oil ; Spinacia oleracea ; Tocopherols ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and functions primarily as a lipid antioxidant. Inadequate vitamin E status may increase risk of several chronic diseases. Thus, the objectives of this study were to estimate intake and plasma concentration of each tocopherol and to evaluate vitamin E status of Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Three consecutive 24-h food recalls and fasting blood samples were collected from healthy 20- to 59-y-old adults (33 males and 73 females) living in the Seoul metropolitan area, South Korea. alpha-, beta-, delta-, and gamma-tocopherol intakes and plasma concentrations of tocopherols (alpha-, delta-, and gamma-tocopherol) were analyzed by gender. RESULTS: Dietary vitamin E and total vitamin E intake (dietary plus supplemental vitamin E) was 17.68 +/- 14.34 and 19.55 +/- 15.78 mg alpha-tocopherol equivalents, respectively. The mean daily alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol intakes were 3.07 +/- 2.27 mg and 5.98 +/- 3.74 mg, respectively. Intakes of total vitamin E and each tocopherol of males were significantly higher than those of females (P < 0.05). Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration was 15.45 +/- 10.16 of males and 15.00 +/- 4.54 micromol/L of females, respectively. There were no significant differences in plasma tocopherol concentrations by gender (P > or = 0.05). Plasma alpha-tocopherol was negatively correlated with gamma-tocopherol intake (P < 0.05). Twenty-three percent of the subjects had plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations < 12 micromol/L indicating a biochemical deficiency of vitamin E. Approximately 8% and 9% of these participants had plasma alpha-tocopherol:total lipid ratio less than 1.59 micromol/mmol and plasma alpha-tocopherol:total cholesterol ratio less than 2.22 micromol/mmol, respectively, which are also indicative of vitamin E deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E intakes of Korean adults were generally adequate with the Korean Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin E. However, alpha-tocopherol intake was lower than that reported in other countries, and 23% of the subjects in the current study were vitamin E deficient based on plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations.
Adult* ; alpha-Tocopherol ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Fasting ; Female ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged* ; Plasma ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Seoul ; Tocopherols ; Vitamin E Deficiency ; Vitamin E* ; Vitamins*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and functions primarily as a lipid antioxidant. Inadequate vitamin E status may increase risk of several chronic diseases. Thus, the objectives of this study were to estimate intake and plasma concentration of each tocopherol and to evaluate vitamin E status of Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Three consecutive 24-h food recalls and fasting blood samples were collected from healthy 20- to 59-y-old adults (33 males and 73 females) living in the Seoul metropolitan area, South Korea. alpha-, beta-, delta-, and gamma-tocopherol intakes and plasma concentrations of tocopherols (alpha-, delta-, and gamma-tocopherol) were analyzed by gender. RESULTS: Dietary vitamin E and total vitamin E intake (dietary plus supplemental vitamin E) was 17.68 +/- 14.34 and 19.55 +/- 15.78 mg alpha-tocopherol equivalents, respectively. The mean daily alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol intakes were 3.07 +/- 2.27 mg and 5.98 +/- 3.74 mg, respectively. Intakes of total vitamin E and each tocopherol of males were significantly higher than those of females (P < 0.05). Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration was 15.45 +/- 10.16 of males and 15.00 +/- 4.54 micromol/L of females, respectively. There were no significant differences in plasma tocopherol concentrations by gender (P > or = 0.05). Plasma alpha-tocopherol was negatively correlated with gamma-tocopherol intake (P < 0.05). Twenty-three percent of the subjects had plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations < 12 micromol/L indicating a biochemical deficiency of vitamin E. Approximately 8% and 9% of these participants had plasma alpha-tocopherol:total lipid ratio less than 1.59 micromol/mmol and plasma alpha-tocopherol:total cholesterol ratio less than 2.22 micromol/mmol, respectively, which are also indicative of vitamin E deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E intakes of Korean adults were generally adequate with the Korean Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin E. However, alpha-tocopherol intake was lower than that reported in other countries, and 23% of the subjects in the current study were vitamin E deficient based on plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations.
Adult* ; alpha-Tocopherol ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Fasting ; Female ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged* ; Plasma ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Seoul ; Tocopherols ; Vitamin E Deficiency ; Vitamin E* ; Vitamins*

OBJECTIVE: This controlled trial investigated the effect of supplementation with vitamins C and E on the lipid peroxide, antioxidant ability, and antioxidant vitamin levels in full term maternal and umbilical venous plasma. METHODS: Forty pregnant women were randomized in this study. They were nulliparous or multiparous women with history of preeclampsia or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Twenty women were given vitamin C (1,000 mg/day) and vitamin E (400 IU/day) from 15~20 gestational weeks to delivery. The others were not given, as a control group. Maternal venous blood was obtained before vitamin supplementation and just before delivery. Umbilical venous blood was obtained after delivery. Lipid peroxide level and oxygen-radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) were measured by thiobarbituric acid reaction and Cao's method, respectively. Ascorbic acid, uric acid, beta-carotene, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Results: Supplementation with vitamins C and E was associated with decrease in lipid peroxide levels and increase in ORAC values and alpha-tocopherol levels in maternal venous plasma. And it was also associated with decrease in lipid peroxide levels and increase in ORAC values and alpha-tocopherol levels in umbilical venous plasma. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with vitamins C and E may be beneficial in the prevention of oxidant-antioxidant imbalance origin diseases such as preeclampsia, PPROM. And it also may affect antioxidant ability of the fetus.
alpha-Tocopherol ; Ascorbic Acid ; beta Carotene ; Female ; Fetus ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Humans ; Membranes ; Plasma ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnant Women ; Rupture ; Thiobarbiturates ; Uric Acid ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

The purpose of this project was to evaluate whether vitamin E supplementation could improve the antioxidant status and lymphocyte DNA damage in Korean postmenopausal women. This was double blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-five subject were randomized to receive either placebo 400 mg/capsule or natural alpha-tocopherol 400 IU/capsule, 2 times a day for 6 weeks. We measured plasma vitamin C, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, alpha-carotenoid, beta-carotenoid, lycopene concentration and tail length, %DNA in tail, tail moment in lymphocyte DNA damage index. Vitamin E supplementation group had significantly increased plasma vitamin C (p < 0.05), alpha-tocopherol (p < 0.000), whereas gamma-tocopherol (p < 0.000) and tail length (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased. However, placebo supplementation group also had significantly increased plasma vitamin C (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study shows that vitamin E supplementation to Korean postmenopausal women may partially improve antioxidant status and lymphocyte DNA damage.
alpha-Tocopherol* ; Ascorbic Acid ; DNA Damage* ; DNA* ; Female ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Humans ; Lymphocytes* ; Plasma ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

PURPOSE:To investigate the change in the antioxidant vitamin levels in maternal uterine venous plasma (MUVP), amniotic fluid (AF), and chorioamnion after vitamin C and E supplementation during pregnancy. METHODS:Thirty pregnant women who were scheduled for elective cesarean section between 37 and 39 gestational weeks were randomized in this study. Fifteen women were given a daily oral dose of vitamin C 1,000 mg and vitamin E 400 IU from 33~34 gestational weeks to delivery. The other fifteen women were not given, as a control group. Maternal uterine venous blood, AF, and chorioamnion were obtained after cesarean section. Lipid peroxides and oxygen-radical absorbance capacity value were measured by thiobarbituric acid reaction and Cao's method respectively. Ascorbic acid, uric acid, beta-carotene, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The tissue sections of chorioamnion were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson-trichrome stain, and immunohistochemical stain for collagen type IV was also performed. RESULTS:The lipid peroxide levels in MUVP of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group but in contrast, ORAC (Oxygen-radical absorbance capacity) values were lower in the control group. The alpha-tocopherol levels in MUVP, AF, and chorioamnion study group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Amniotic membrane and subepithelial stromal tissue in the study group were thicker than those in the control group. And subchorionic type IV collagen of placenta tissue in the study group was more stained than that of the control group. CONCLUSION:Maternal vitamin C and E supplementation may be beneficial in the prevention of diseases caused by oxidative stress such as preeclampsia and PROM and in increasing fibrin and type IV collagen in chorioamnion.
alpha-Tocopherol ; Amnion ; Amniotic Fluid ; Ascorbic Acid ; beta Carotene ; Cesarean Section ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Collagen Type IV ; Female ; Fibrin ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxides ; Oxidative Stress ; Placenta ; Plasma ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Thiobarbiturates ; Uric Acid ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

Vitamin E in the body system plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases by decreasing the oxidative stress by free-radicals. However, there are not enough researches on analyzing the primary factors affecting vitamin E levels in the blood in Korean adults. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine blood tocopherol levels and the primary factors affecting the status. A complete lifestyle survey was performed on 314 Korean adult men and surveyed their smoking, drinking and exercising habits. The average plasma level of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol showed similar mutual relations with plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), or low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p < 0.001). Plasma alpha-tocopherol level of the subjects did not show any difference as smoking, drinking and exercising habits changed. However, gamma-tocopherol per TG showed much lower figure in smokers than non smokers (p < 0.05). Amongst diet factors, plasma alpha-tocopherol level showed negative correlations with Vitamin E intake, while gamma-tocopherol level showed positive correlations with Vitamin E intake. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma tocopherol showed negative correlations, and catalase activity and plasma alpha-tocopherol showed positive correlationship. The level of cell DNA damage of lymphocyte and plasma alpha- or gamma-tocopherol showed negative correlations. As a result of this research, the factors that affect Korean adult men's plasma alpha-tocopherol level are plasma TG, LDL-C and cell DNA damage in lymphocyte, while the factors that affect gamma-tocopherol level are plasma TG, LDL-C and vitamin E intake based on multiple regression analysis. These findings implies that the level of different types of tocopherol depends on slightly different factors. A further research is needed on the factors involved in the differentiation of the types of tocopherol.
Adult ; alpha-Tocopherol ; Catalase ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Chronic Disease ; Diet ; DNA Damage ; Drinking ; Erythrocytes ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Humans ; Life Style ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Tocopherols* ; Triglycerides ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intake of antioxidant vitamins and plasma concentrations of those in 60 maternal-infant pairs (30 in normal term delivery group, NT; 30 in preterm delivery group, PT). We also investigated the relationship between vitamin levels of maternal-umbilical cord plasma and pregnancy outcome. Mean energy intakes of NT and PT pregnant women were 93.2% and 85.4%, and their protein intakes were 113.3% and 110.9 % of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), respectively. While vitamin A intakes were only 51.2% and 39.6% of the RDA in NT and PT pregnant women. The vitamin E intake was about 50% of the RDA (NT 6.27 mg, PT 7.78 mg). The levels of retinol in maternal plasma of NT and PT were 1.51 micronmol/l and 1.43 micronmol/l, respectively. The retinol levels in umbilical cord plasma in NT and PT were 0.72 micronmol/l and 0.61 micronmol/l, respectively. The level of beta-carotene in maternal plasma of NT was 0.49 micronmol/l, significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that of PT (0.31 micronmol/l). The beta-carotene of umbilical cord plasma of NT and PT were 0.02 micronmol/l and 0.01 micronmol/l, respectively. The plasma alpha- tocopherol of maternal of NT and PT were 29.51 micronmol/l and 27.17 micronmol/l, respectively. The alpha-tocopherol of umbilical cord plasma of NT and PT were 4.16 micronmol/l and 3.80 micronmol/l, respectively. The antioxidant vitamin levels retinol, beta-carotene, and alpha-tocopherol) in maternal plasma were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than those in umbilical cord plasma. However, there was no correlation between the vitamin levels in maternal plasma and those in umbilical cord plasma. The maternal plasma beta-carotene level showed a positive correlation to gestational age. Also Apgar score at 1 min produced a positive correlation to maternal plasma beta-carotene level.
alpha-Tocopherol* ; Apgar Score ; beta Carotene* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Plasma* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Tocopherols ; Umbilical Cord ; Vitamin A* ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

Cigarette smoke (CS) induces oxidative and nitrosative stress to the respiratory tract (RT) via both oxidants contained in CS and by CS-induced activation of RT inflammatory-immune pro-oxidant processes. CS exposure has been associated with reduced levels of plasma micronutrient antioxidants, in part due to an increased utilization and turnover of alpha-tocopherol (AT). It has been suggested that gamma-tocopherol (GT) may have an expanded spectrum of antioxidant activation compared to alpha-tocopherol (AT). In order to investigate effects of high GT supplementation as compared to AT, C57 BL/6 mice were fed control AT (35 mg/kg diet) or high GT (1,000 mg/kg diet) diet for 8-10 weeks and then exposed to 60 mg/m3 CS, 6 hr/day for 3 days. AT and GT levels and their metabolites were measured at endpoints. High GT supplementation significantly reduced AT levels in plasma, liver and lung compared to AT. CS increased levels of AT and GT in plasma and lung of control AT group but decreased GT levels in lung of high GT supplemented group. Moreover, CS significantly decreased GT metabolite, gamma-CEHC. The results suggest that high GT supplementation have selective modulation of concentrations of vitamin E and its metabolite in plasma and lung but not in liver against in vivo CS exposure.
alpha-Tocopherol ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Chromans ; Diet ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Liver ; Lung ; Mice ; Micronutrients ; Oxidants ; Plasma ; Propionates ; Respiratory System ; Smoke ; Tobacco Products ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins