Supplementation of tocotrienol-rich fraction increases interferon-gamma production in ovalbumin-immunized mice

• Published in: European journal of lipid science and technology 2010-05, Vol.112 (5), p.531-536
• Main Authors: Nesaretnam, Kalanithi, Mahalingam, Dashayini, Radhakrishnan, Ammu Kutty, Premier, Robert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fat industries; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Interferon-gamma; Ovalbumin; Tocotrienol-rich fraction; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vitamin E
• ISSN: 1438-7697; 1438-9312
• DOI: 10.1002/ejlt.200900193

Palm oil is a rich source of vitamin E. The tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) extracted from palm oil contain 70% tocotrienols and 30% tocopherols. The effect of TRF supplementation on the immune modulation was evaluated in 6-wk-old female BALB/c mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) adjuvanted with alum. Mice in control and experimental groups were immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) on days 14 and 28 with a single dose of 50 μg OVA. The mice in the experimental group were orally gavaged daily with 1 mg of TRF from palm oil while those in the control group received carrier oil. The results show that mice in the experimental group produced significantly (p0.05) difference in the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) produced between the control and experimental animals. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogen or OVA stimulation was significantly (p