Vitamin-E dose-associated alterations in mouse immune function

Abstract

Evidence from animal and human trials suggest an association between vitamin E and immune function. In this study, we investigated the vitamin‐E dose‐associated alteration in mouse immunity. Two different doses of vitamin E‐20 IU vitamin E/kg b.w. for the optimal supplement group, and 80 IU vitamin E/kg b.w. for the overdose group‐were injected daily into the intraperitonial cavity for 14 days in male ICR mice. Mouse splenocyte proliferation against mitogen stimulation, such as Con A, LPS, PWM, of each group was assessed as an index of immune function, and compared with that of a control group injected with the same volume of saline. Serum vitamin‐E concentration was analyzed by HPLC to assure that intraperitonially injected vitamin E was appropriately absorbed. The animals in the high dose of vitamin‐E supplement group showed significantly lower body weight gain and spleen index compared to those in the optimun level of the vitamin‐E supplement group. More importantly, while the splenocyte proliferation of optimal vitamin‐E supplement group was significantly enhanced, the overdose of vitamin‐E‐injected animals represented a much suppressed proliferation capacity compared to that in control animals. Consequently, optimum supplementation of vitamin E would be required for the proper immunity capacity, while overdose of vitamin‐E supplementation may rather impair the immunocompetance.