Comparative effects of vitamin E succinate (VES) on serum vitamin E and lipid levels in BALB/c nude mice fed high fat diets containing cottonseed or soybean oil

Abstract

Purpose: In this study we compared the effects of vitamin E succinate (VES) on the serum vitamin E and lipid levels of mice fed high-fat diets containing 20% cottonseed oil (CSO), or 20% soybean oil (SO). Methods: Forty-eight male BALB/c nude mice, five weeks old were randomly assigned to four groups (n=12/group). Two groups were fed 20% CSO, while the other two groups were fed 20% SO. On day one all mice received subcutaneous injection of 1x106 LNCaP cells in 0.2 mL matrigel. After 3 weeks, two groups were given intraperitoneal (IP) injection of VES (100 mg/kg body weight) in sesame oil (Intervention group), while the other two groups received only sesame oil, three times a week (Control group). Mice were sacrificed at the end of seven weeks. Blood samples were assayed for vitamin E and lipids at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: In the CSO group, Intervention group had significantly lower levels of TC, LDLc, and VLDLc compared to control group (22.5% vs 4%, 19% vs. 6%, 16% vs 3% respectively; p<0.05), while levels of HDL-c, total tocopherol, alpha tocopherol, and VES were elevated (5% vs 12%, 2% vs 8%, 3% vs. 12%; p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the mice fed SO. Conclusion: Serum lipid, total, and alpha tocopherol and VES levels were significantly improved by VES IP injection in high fat diets containing 20% CSO without affecting body weight, while no significant differences were observed in diets containing 20% SO. Supported by Human Nutrition Fund