Do Patients With Metabolic Syndrome Need More Vitamin E?
Individuals who have apparently normal plasma vitamin E concentrations actually do not have adequate vitamin E status, as based on a new biomarker, according to a new study.
The researchers hypothesized that α-tocopherol (vitamin E) catabolites α-carboxyethyl hydroxychromanol (α-CEHC) and α-carboxymethylbutyl hydroxychromanol (α-CMBHC) can be useful biomarkers of vitamin E status.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
Vitamin E Beneficial for Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer’s Patients
Vitamin E Redirects Blood Flow During Stroke
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Adults (healthy or with metabolic syndrome [MetS]; n=10/group) completed a double-blind, crossover clinical trial with four 72-hour interventions during which they co-ingested 15 mg hexadeuterium-labeled RRR-α-tocopherol (d6-α-T) with nonfat, reduced-fat, whole, or soy milk. During each intervention, they measured α-CEHC and α-CMBHC excretions in three 8-hour urine collections (0-24 hours) and plasma vitamin E, α-CEHC, and α-CMBHC concentrations at various times for up to 72 hours.
During the first 24 hours, participants with MetS excreted 41% less α-CEHC , 63% less hexadeuterium-labeled (d6)-α-CEHC, and 58% less d6-a-CMBHC, and had 52% lower plasma d6-α-CEHC areas under the concentration curves compared with healthy adults. In 77 of 80 paired plasma concentration curves, d6-α-CEHC peaked before d6-α-T. Urinary d6-α-CEHC 24-hour concentrations were associated with the plasma AUC0-24h of d6-α-T and d6-α-CEHC, and with urinary d6-α-CMBHC, and inversely with the plasma inflammation biomarkers C-reactive protein, interleukin 10, and interleukin 6.
“We were surprised that the vitamin E catabolite appeared in the plasma before vitamin E peaked in the plasma,” said study lead author Maret G. Traber, PhD, professor in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University in Corvallis. “This data seems to be saying that the body aggressively controls the levels of vitamin E. We gave doses that were approximately the daily value for vitamin E, with the exception that they were labeled so we could follow them.”
The researchers will continue to carry out studies evaluating the requirements for vitamin E and what the body needs from this vitamin, she said.
“Since people with metabolic syndrome have elevated levels of oxidative damage and inflammation, as well as a higher risk for fatty liver disease, vitamin E might be beneficial in this population,” said Dr Traber, adding that in general, a multivitamin with 100% of the daily value for vitamin E can help with a healthy lifestyle.
—Mike Bederka
Reference:
Traber MG, Mah E, Leonard SW, Bobe G, Bruno RS. Metabolic syndrome increases dietary α-tocopherol requirements as assessed using urinary and plasma vitamin E catabolites: a double-blind, crossover clinical trial [published online January 11, 2017]. Am J Clin Nutr. doi:10.3945/ajcn.116.138495.