The role of vitamin E in immune response and disease resistance.

Abstract

Vitamin E supplementation enhances humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and augments the efficiency of phagocytosis in laboratory animals, farm animals, and humans. In its disease protection effect vitamin E interacts with other antioxidant nutrients and with other nutrients in the diet. Other antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin A and beta carotene, also enhance disease resistance. Beta carotene is effective in combination with vitamin E. The optimal dose of vitamin E for maximum protection depends on many factors; thus it has to be established case by case. The delivery system of vitamin E greatly influences its effectiveness. A targeted delivery to localized immunocompetent cells in adjuvant formulations is far more effective than a general dispersed delivery in a diet. Vitamin E adjuvants provided greater immunoprotection against enterotoxemia and epididymitis in sheep than conventional vaccines.

• Authors: R P Tengerdy
• Journal: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Ann N Y Acad Sci) Vol. 587 Pg. 24-33 ( 1990) ISSN: 0077-8923 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2193574 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• beta Carotene
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Carotenoids

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Carotenoids (pharmacology)
• Food, Fortified
• Humans
• Immunity (drug effects)
• Phagocytosis (drug effects)
• Vitamin A (pharmacology)
• Vitamin E (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• beta Carotene