Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Various Functional Properties of Macrophages and Neutrophils Obtained from Weaned Piglets

• Published in: Journal of veterinary medicine. Series A 2004-05, Vol.51 (4), p.178-183
• Main Authors: Fragou, S., Fegeros, K., Xylouri, E., Baldi, A., Politis, I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Dietary Supplements; Macrophages - drug effects; Neutrophils - drug effects; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism; Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; Swine; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator - metabolism; Vitamin E - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0931-184X; 1439-0442
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2004.00623.x

Summary Sixteen piglets were used to determine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on several functional properties of macrophages and neutrophils obtained from weaned piglets. Piglets, immediately following weaning, were assigned to one of three experimental groups: control (no vitamin E supplementation), low level of vitamin E supplementation (100 mg dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate/kg diet) and high level of vitamin E supplementation (300 mg dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate/kg diet). Supplementation of vitamin E lasted for a period of 36 days, following a 3‐day adaptation period after weaning. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 12, 24 and 36 of the experimental period, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils were isolated and the following parameters were determined in macrophages and neutrophils activated by phorbol myristate acetate: total cell‐associated and membrane‐bound urokinase plasminogen activator (u‐PA) activity and superoxide anion production. Results showed that macrophages and neutrophils isolated from piglets that received supplemental vitamin E had higher (P