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Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) derived Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for vitamin E. In this Opinion, the Panel considers vitamin E as α‐tocopherol only. The Panel considers that Average Requirements (ARs) and Population Reference Intakes (PRIs) for vitamin E (as α‐tocopherol) cannot be derived for adults, infants and children, and therefore defines Adequate Intakes (AIs), based on observed intakes in healthy populations with no apparent α ‐ tocopherol deficiency in the EU. This approach considers the range of average intakes of α‐tocopherol and of α‐tocopherol equivalents estimated by EFSA from dietary surveys in children and adults in nine countries. The Panel notes the uncertainties in the available food composition and consumption data, the fact that most EU food composition databases contain values for vitamin E as α‐tocopherol equivalents, as well as the contribution of average α‐tocopherol intakes to average α‐tocopherol equivalent intakes in these countries. For adults, an AI for α‐tocopherol is set at 13 mg/day for men and 11 mg/day for women. For children aged 1 to < 3 years, an AI for α‐tocopherol is set at 6 mg/day for both sexes. For children aged 3 to < 10 years, an AI for α‐tocopherol is set at 9 mg/day for both sexes. For children aged 10 to < 18 years, an AI for α‐tocopherol is set at 13 mg/day for boys and 11 mg/day for girls. For infants aged 7–11 months, an AI for α‐tocopherol of 5 mg/day is derived by extrapolating upwards from the estimated α‐tocopherol intake in exclusively breast‐fed infants aged 0–6 months and rounding. For pregnant or lactating women, the Panel considers that there is no evidence for an increased dietary α‐tocopherol requirement, and the same AI is set as for non‐pregnant non‐lactating women.

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) lack the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Therefore, hormone or targeted therapies are not effective in the treatment of TNBC and thus the development of novel therapeutic strategies is crucial. Methotrexate (MTX), a folate antagonist, has been used in the treatment of various types of cancer; however, the anticancer effects of MTX treatment on breast cancer have thus far been ineffective. Vitamin E variants and derivatives have been applied for cancer therapy. Previous studies have indicated that vitamin E variants and derivatives exert distinct anticancer effects on different types of cancer. However, whether MTX plus vitamin E variants or its derivatives can inhibit TNBC remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the anticancer effects and mechanisms of action of MTX in combination with vitamin E variants (α-tocopherol) and derivatives (α-tocopherol succinate) on TNBC. In the present study, MTT assay and western blot analysis were used to determine the cell survival rates and protein levels. The results demonstrated that combination treatment with MTX and α-tocopherol suppressed TNBC cell proliferation. In addition, various concentrations of MTX exerted distinct cytotoxic effects on α-tocopherol succinate-treated cells. Furthermore, high-dose MTX enhanced α-tocopherol succinate-induced anticancer activity; however, low-dose MTX inhibited α-tocopherol succinate-induced anticancer activity. The present study also demonstrated that caspase-3 activation and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase cleavage were observed in the α-tocopherol succinate/MTX-treated cells. In conclusion, the findings of the present study demonstrated that high-dose MTX enhanced anticancer activity in α-TOS-treated TNBC, while low-dose MTX reduced anticancer activity in α-TOS-treated TNBC.

Tocopherols and tocotrienols are natural compounds of plant origin, available in the nature. They are supplied in various amounts in a diet, mainly from vegetable oils, some oilseeds, and nuts. The main forms in the diet are α- and γ-tocopherol, due to the highest content in food products. Nevertheless, α-tocopherol is the main form of vitamin E with the highest tissue concentration. The α- forms of both tocopherols and tocotrienols are considered as the most metabolically active. Currently, research results indicate also a greater antioxidant potential of tocotrienols than tocopherols. Moreover, the biological role of vitamin E metabolites have received increasing interest. The aim of this review is to update the knowledge of tocopherol and tocotrienol bioactivity, with a particular focus on their bioavailability, distribution, and metabolism determinants in humans. Almost one hundred years after the start of research on α-tocopherol, its biological properties are still under investigation. For several decades, researchers’ interest in the biological importance of other forms of vitamin E has also been growing. Some of the functions, for instance the antioxidant functions of α- and γ-tocopherols, have been confirmed in humans, while others, such as the relationship with metabolic disorders, are still under investigation. Some studies, which analyzed the biological role and mechanisms of tocopherols and tocotrienols over the past few years described new and even unexpected cellular and molecular properties that will be the subject of future research.

Microemulsions are relatively stable carrier agents for bioactive components. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsions as carriers of α-tocopherol compounds in variations of α-tocopherol concentration, pH, and dilution. The O/W microemulsion was made from a mixture of surfactants (Tween 80, Tween 20, and Span 80) with virgin coconut oil (VCO) in a ratio of 85:15 with a total volume of 5 mL added with 10 mL of distilled water. The research used a randomized block design (RBD). The data were analyzed using ANOVA and continued with Tukey's test and regression analysis. Treatments in microemulsion were the addition of α-tocopherol with concentrations of: 0.25, 1.50, 1.75 and 2.0%. Observations were made on the turbidity index values, appearance, droplet diameter, and microemulsion stability. In addition, observations were made on the stability of the microemulsion at variations of pH (4.5,5.5, 6.5), and dilution (10, 50, and 100 times). The results showed that the microemulsion was able to carry α-tocopherol compounds up to a concentration of 2% with a turbidity value reaching 0.1036 ± 0.0033% with a transparent appearance. A mixture of three surfactants (Tween 80, Tween 20 and Span 80) has the ability to increase droplet stability. The α-tocopherol microemulsion had a droplet diameter below 30 nm and stayed stable against the effects of centrifugation at pH 4.5 with dilutions up to 50 times and remained stable upto pH 6.5 with dilutions between 50 – 100 times.

The study aimed to investigate RRR-α-Tocopherol and synthetic α-Tocopherol stereoisomers in maternal plasma, cord plasma and breast milk from different regions of China, providing a reference for further guidance on maternal diet and the potential need to supplement mothers with vitamin E. Two hundred and twenty-one sample sets from maternal plasma, cord plasma and three stages of milk (colostrum: 1–5 d after delivery; transitional milk: 10–15 d; mature milk: 40–45 d) were collected longitudinally in six regions of Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Chengdu, Lanzhou and Changchun. α-Tocopherol and the stereoisomers were determined by HPLC with a fluorescence detector. The RRR configuration accounted for more than 80 % of α-Tocopherol in maternal plasma, cord plasma and breast milk. Overall, there were regional differences both in α-Tocopherol and RRR. There were significant correlations between α-Tocopherol and RRR in maternal plasma, cord plasma and milk (P < 0.001). As well as negative correlations among α-Tocopherol, RRR and weight-related indicators, which refer to pre-gestation weight and BMI, pre-delivery weight and BMI and pregnancy weight gain, in almost all of samples. This study suggested that RRR-α-Tocopherol was the dominant configuration of α-Tocopherol and the main active form of vitamin E in the early life, guiding the rational supplement of pregnant women and the addition of α-Tocopherol in infant formula milk powder.

A protocol is proposed that combines the use of the known properties of a surrogate containing various functional groups together with n-alkanes as standards to evaluate the properties of much larger related substances using correlation gas chromatography. An objective of this work is to develop options that circumvent the lack of appropriate vaporization enthalpy standards that can be used for evaluation of various thermodynamic properties of larger complex molecules using gas chromatography. The surrogate in this case is 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-ol (PMC) and is used to evaluate the vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of α-tocopherol (α-TOC) and Δ[sup.9]-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ[sup.9]-THC). The results are compared to the available literature data and to estimated properties. Vaporization enthalpies are also evaluated by a proposed method that involves the use of synthetic and retrosynthetic analysis.

Abstract Background In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of humans, nutrient malabsorption can result in fat-soluble vitamin deficiency, especially of vitamin D. In veterinary species, decreased concentrations of vitamin D are relatively common in dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE), but data on the status of other fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs) is lacking. Objectives Determine the serum concentrations of retinol, vitamin D, and α-tocopherol in dogs with CE compared with healthy dogs and compare clinical, clinicopathologic variables between CE and healthy dogs to detect associations with decreased FSVs concentrations. Animals Eighteen client-owned dogs with CE and 33 healthy dogs. Methods Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), serum retinol and α-tocopherol concentrations were compared between groups. Correlations and multiple regression modeling were used to examine the relationship between serum 25(OH)D, retinol, and α-tocopherol concentrations and clinical and clinicopathological variables. Results Dogs with low serum albumin concentrations were more likely to have lower 25(OH)D concentrations than dogs with normal serum albumin concentration. Dogs with CE had higher serum concentrations of retinol, and variable α-tocopherol concentrations. The cause of these dysregulated vitamin concentrations is unclear and requires further study. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Dogs with severe forms of CE should be monitored for decreased concentrations of 25(OH)D. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance and the possible benefit of vitamin D supplementation in these patients.

Purpose In this study, a new chemical folate conjugated to α-tocopherol (VAF) is introduced. The main goal is to investigate the potential of VAF as a strong anticancer agent. This improves the drug-targeting delivery system and lessens the negative effects associated with traditional chemotherapy. Procedure To synthesize VAF, α-tocopherol, and folic acid were linked by a peptide bond, creating an amphiphilic structure that allowed for self-assembly in aqueous conditions. With an emphasis on evaluating VAF’s capacity to target folate receptors, In vitro experiments were carried out utilizing A549 lung cancer cells to assess the anticancer effects of VAF. Results VAF was synthesized under mild circumstances, and its characterization was carried out using many analytical techniques, such as FTIR spectroscopy and NMR. In vitro investigations showed that VAF’s improved active targeting via folate receptors results in excellent anticancer effects. Additionally, the cell viability of Wi-38 and A549 was assessed by using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Conclusion According to the research, VAF reduces the possibility of adverse effects while increasing the efficacy of anticancer treatments. The compound exhibits promising properties that make it a great option for additional research and development in cancer treatments. Research provides important new information about drug-targeting delivery systems and improves a potentially useful method for anticancer drug therapeutic indices.

Vitamin E (VE) is an indispensable vitamin in piglet feed formula. Among other things, it affects tissues including small intestine tissues and in particular its major unit intestinal epithelial cells. Previously, limited in vivo experiments have focused on the effect of VE on the intestine, particularly digestion and absorption. VE has been shown to inhibit proliferation of some types of cells. This experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that VE affects intestinal functions by influencing the intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. Thirty 21-d old weaned [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] piglets with BWs of 6.36 ± 0.55 kg were randomly divided into five VE-containing feeding formula groups. The treatments were (i) 0 IU (control), (ii) 16 IU, (iii) 32 IU, (iv) 4. 80 IU, and (v) 5. 160 IU. The treatments lasted 14 d. At the end of the experiment, all subjects were sacrificed to obtain blood and tissue samples. The results suggest that VE did not affect the growth performance. VE did tend to decrease jejunal crypt depth (linear, P = 0.056) and villus width (linear, P < 0.05). Sucrase activity significantly decreased in the adding 80 IU VE compared with the control (P < 0.05). Jejunal crypt, cell proliferation in 80 IU group significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). This study suggests that dietary VE may affect intestinal morphology and functions by inhibiting weaned piglet jejunal epithelial cell proliferation.