Tocotrienol Rich Fraction supplementation increased the antioxidant enzymes activities in skeletal and heart muscle of aging mice

Abstract

Aging is initiated from free radical reactions which interrupted the antioxidant/prooxidant balance and consequently causing aging-related disease. Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) has been reported as a potent antioxidant against oxidative damage by increasing antioxidant enzymes levels in many organs such as brain, bones and blood but not in muscle . This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of long term TRF supplementation on antioxidant status in skeletal and heart muscle of aging mice. Mice were divided into 3 groups, control without treatment (CWT), refined, bleach and deodorization (RBD) oil control and TRF supplementation groups. 13.5 months supplementation was done on 5 months-old rats (young mice) until they reach 18.5 months old (old mice). The activity of antioxidant enzymes, i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRx) in skeletal and heart muscles were measured. TRF supplementation increased SOD, CAT and GPx activities significantly in skeletal and heart muscles compared to both control groups. TRF supplementation increased the GRx activity significantly in skeletal and heart muscles compared to CWT but not RBD oil control group. In conclusion, long term TRF supplementation significantly increased the antioxidant enzymes activities in skeletal and heart muscles in aging mice.