Α-tocopherol Levels Research Articles

Effect of Long-Term Light Deprivation on α-Tocopherol Content in Rats during Ontogeny.

We studied the effect of long-term light deprivation which began at different stages of ontogeny on the content of α-tocopherol in rats during the first 3 months of postnatal development. In the offspring postnatally exposed to constant darkness, the level of α-tocopherol in the liver, kidneys, heart, skeletal muscles, and lungs was significantly decreased at the early stages of postnatal ontogeny (2 weeks and 1 month). In rats kept under constant darkness after birth, the content of α-tocopherol in the lungs was also reduced at the age of 1 month. The modulating effect of light deprivation on the level of α-tocopherol can be associated both with the impact of disturbed circadian rhythms and with increased content of melatonin in the body.

Study on antioxidant activity of crude peanut oils and refined cottonseed oils from Burkina Faso

<abstract> <p>Vegetable oils are among the foodstuffs produced and consumed in abundance by the population in Burkina Faso. These edible oils are nutrient sources for health. However, the oxidation of edible oils is a phenomenon that leads to their degradation. Hence, the objectives of this study were to determine the antioxidants compounds, to evaluate the antioxidant activity of vegetable oils produced in Burkina Faso and to propose good manufacturing practices. Thus, 32 samples of crude peanut oils and refined cottonseed oils were analyzed. α-Tocopherol was determined by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), total phenolic compounds and DPPH by spectrophotometry. The α-tocopherol averages are 10.89 and 56.44 mg/100 g for peanut oils and cottonseed oils, respectively (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05). For total phenolic compounds, the averages are 2.91 and 0.64 mg/100 g of gallic acid equivalent for peanut oils and cottonseed oils, respectively (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05). The inhibition percentages are respectively 17.97% and 5.58% (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05) for peanut oils and cottonseed oils. For antioxidant activity, the averages are 0.81 and 0.27 mg trolox/100 g for peanut oils and cottonseed oils, respectively (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05). Cottonseed oils have the highest levels of α-tocopherol while peanut oils have high levels of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Vegetable oils contain acceptable levels of α-tocopherol and total phenolic compounds for their oxidative stability and health benefits for the consumer. However, the levels of biomolecules will be higher if production and preservation conditions are improved and controlled. The results could be used for future recommendations about human feeding programs in Burkina Faso.</p> </abstract>

Changes in the Lipid Peroxidation-Antioxidant Protection System in Women with Ovarian Hyperandrogenism at Different Periods of Reproductive Age.

We studied changes in LPO processes and antioxidant protection system in women with ovarian hyperandrogenism at various periods of reproductive age 18-45 years. An age-related decrease in total antioxidant activity and accumulation of secondary LPO products, ketodiens and coupled trienes, were found; these changes were accompanied by an increase in the level of superoxide dismutase and a decrease in the concentrations of reduced glutathione, α-tocopherol, and retinol. Women of early reproductive age (18-35 years) with hyperandrogenism were characterized by increased content of oxidized glutathione accompanied by a decrease in the level of α-tocopherol and retinol in comparison with the control group. In women of late reproductive age (35-45 years) with hyperandrogenism, increased superoxide dismutase activity in comparison with the control group was revealed.

Аденомиоз и оксидативный стресс. Обоснование комплексного подхода к лечению пациенток репродуктивного возраста

The analysis of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant protection (concentration of α-tocopherol and superoxide dismutase) in the blood serum of patients with adenomyosis was performed. The levels of conjugated dienes (CD), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and α-tocopherol were significantly higher prior to treatment (organ-preserving endoscopy + drug therapy) than those in the control group (patients with tubal infertility). At the same time, SOD activity was almost 2-fold lower, and MDA levels were 2-fold higher compared to the normal values. After surgery, progestogens, magnesium supplements, and indole-3-carbinol+resveratrol (1 tablet once a day for 3 months) were prescribed to all patients. After combination therapy, all the parameters of free radicals and antioxidant protection changed significantly: they did not reach the control values but were close to them to such an extent that the difference between the levels of MDA, CD, SOD, and α-tocopherol in the blood serum of patients in the control group and that of patients with adenomyosis was found to be insignificant. Moreover, the percentage of variation (improvement) of CD and SOD exceeded 40%. Conclusion. Under certain conditions, intrauterine endoscopy in combination with postoperative drug therapy can provide longterm relief of pathognomonic symptoms of adenomyosis. Key words: adenomyosis, reproductive age, antioxidant system, indole-3-carbinol+resveratrol

δ-Tocopherol Slightly Accumulates in the Adipose Tissue of Mice.

This study aimed to compare the distribution of vitamin E analogs, particularly α-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol, in mice fed with a normal diet and a high-fat and high-sucrose diet separately. We used male C57BL/6JJcl strain mice, which were divided into six groups (control [C], Cα, Cδ, high-fat and high-sucrose [H], Hα, and Hδ groups) and bred for 4 weeks. The additional quantity of α-tocopherol or E-mix D (containing 86.7% δ-tocopherol) into diet was 800 mg/kg diet. The final body weight was significantly higher in the H group than in the C group. However, the effects of vitamin E analog intake had no significant difference, with no synergy between vitamin E and diet. Similar results were obtained in epididymal fat weight. Moreover, α-tocopherol was mainly distributed in the liver in both the Cα group and Hα group, whereas δ-tocopherol mostly accumulated in the epididymal fat, in both the Cδ group and Hδ group. Also, δ-tocopherol was detected in all tissues in both groups. Both the α-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol levels in the epididymal fat were significantly lower in the H group than in the C group. In conclusion, our results suggest that a portion of δ-tocopherol was incorporated into the adipose tissue by chylomicron before arriving at the liver, and then it is metabolized in the liver.

Brain Α-Tocopherol Concentration is Inversely Associated with Neurofibrillary Tangle Counts in Brain Regions Affected in Earlier Braak Stages: A Cross-Sectional Finding in the Oldest Old.

Higher vitamin E status has been associated with lower risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, evidence of the association of vitamin E concentration in neural tissue with AD pathologies is limited. The cross-sectional relationship between the human brain concentrations of α- and γ-tocopherol and the severity of AD pathologies - neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) and neuritic plaque (NP) - was investigated. Brains from 43 centenarians (≥ 98 years at death) enrolled in the Phase III of the Georgia Centenarian Study were collected at autopsy. Brain α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations (previously reported) were averaged from frontal, temporal, and occipital cortices. NP and NFT counts (previously reported) were assessed in frontal, temporal, parietal, entorhinal cortices, amygdala, hippocampus, and subiculum. NFT topological progression was assessed using Braak staging. Multiple linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between tocopherol concentrations and NP or NFT counts, with and without adjustment for covariates. Brain α-tocopherol concentrations were inversely associated with NFT but not NP counts in amygdala (β = -2.67, 95% CI [-4.57, -0.79]), entorhinal cortex (β = -2.01, 95% CI [-3.72, -0.30]), hippocampus (β = -2.23, 95% CI [-3.82, -0.64]), and subiculum (β = -2.52, 95% CI [-4.42, -0.62]) where NFT present earlier in its topological progression, but not in neocortices. Subjects with Braak III-IV had lower α-tocopherol (median = 69,622 pmol/g, IQR = 54,389-72,155 pmol/g) than those with Braak I-II (median = 72,108 pmol/g, IQR = 64,056-82,430 pmol/g), but the difference was of borderline significance (p = 0.063). γ-Tocopherol concentrations were not associated with either NFT or NP counts in any brain regions assessed. Higher brain α-tocopherol level is specifically associated with lower NFT counts in brain structures affected in earlier Braak stages. Our findings emphasize the possible importance of α-tocopherol intervention timing in tauopathy progression and warrant future clinical trials.

Analysis of Pro- and Antioxidant Status in Women with Endocrine Infertility

The aim of our study was to identify the changes in the indicators of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant defense (AOD) in women with endocrine infertility. Methods and Results: The study included 358 women of reproductive age. Based on clinical and laboratory data, two groups were formed: the control group (CG) and the main group (MG). CG consisted of 61 healthy fertile women (mean age of 22±2.3 years). MG consisted of 297 women (mean age of 26±5.6 years) with endocrine infertility. The blood levels of antioxidant parameters (total antioxidant activity [TTA], SOD activity, α-tocopherol and retinol) and primary/secondary products of LPO (conjugated dienes [CD], ketodienes and conjugated trienes [KD-CT], and thiobarbituric acid reactants [TBARs]) were determined using spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods. The levels of sex hormones and cortisol were determined by radioimmunoassay and EIA. In MG, we found a significant increase in the blood levels of total lipid, DB, CDs, KD-CT, and TBARs, compared to CG. The results of a comparative analysis of the AOD parameters showed a significant increase in the total AOA level by 31% in MG, while the levels of α-tocopherol and retinol significantly decreased by 22% and 15%, respectively, compared to CG. In women of MG, the serum level of prolactin increased by 2 times. Conclusion: The results obtained reflect the adaptive and disadaptive mechanisms of LPO-AOD participation in the formation of female infertility of endocrine origin. The complex changes in the LPO-AOD system (increased levels of the substrates of oxidation and all intermediates of the LPO process amid falling values of the AOD parameters) indicate the presence of OS in women with endocrine infertility.

Antibody-Conjugated Vitamin E-Derived Liposomes for Targeted Gene Transfer

Construction of a vitamin E-based liposomal biomaterial and its ability to deliver therapeutic genes selectively across liver cancer cells are demonstrated herein. In humans, liver regulates the levels of α-tocopherol, i.e., vitamin E, and hepatic cells carry the machinery for its transport. To exploit the presence of tocopherol transport protein, we have selected an efficient gene transfecting α-tocopherol-based twin lipid bearing a hydroxyethylated headgroup and octamethylene spacer (TH8S) for liposome formation. Also, based on the abundancy of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) on the cellular surface in the case of hepatocellular carcinoma, anti-LDLr monoclonal antibody is used to confer the targeting ability to liposomes. A facile thiol-maleimide click chemistry is used for antibody decoration on the liposomal surface. Selective delivery of reporter and therapeutic genes (GFP and p53) to cells of hepatic origin was observed using anti-LDLr-tagged TH8S liposomes. Cellular internalization by receptor-mediated endocytosis renders the bioconjugate highly specific as well as highly efficient. Compatibility of the designed material with human blood points to its safety of use in systemic circulation thereby highlighting its in vivo potential. Thus, we report here a versatile biomaterial derived from an essential vitamin that promises potential for targeted suicidal gene therapy.

Vitamin E Levels in Ethnic Communities in Malaysia and Its Relation to Glucose Tolerance, Insulin Resistance and Advanced Glycation End Products: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Malaysian national morbidity surveys on diabetic prevalence have shown ethnical variation among prediabetic and diabetic populations. In our attempt to understand this variation, we studied the α-tocopherol, insulin resistance, β-cell function and receptor of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) levels, as risk factors of type 2 diabetes, among the different ethnicities. In total, 299 subjects of Malay, Chinese, Indian and aboriginal Orang Asli (OA) heritage were recruited from urban and rural areas of Malaysia by stratified random sampling. Serum α-tocopherol concentrations were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and insulin concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In subjects with pre-diabetes, OAs had the highest α-tocopherol level, followed by Chinese and Malays (0.8938, 0.8564 and 0.6948 respectively; p < 0.05). In diabetic subjects, Malays had significantly higher RAGE levels compared to Chinese and Indians (5579.31, 3473.40 and 3279.52 pg/mL respectively, p = 0.001). Low α-tocopherol level (OR = 3.021, p < 0.05) and high insulin resistance (OR = 2.423, p < 0.05) were linked strongly to the development of pre-diabetes. Low β-cell function (OR = 5.657, p < 0.001) and high RAGE level (OR = 3.244, p < 0.05) were linked strongly to the development of diabetes from pre-diabetes. These factors might be involved in the development of diabetes, along with genetic and environmental factors.

The floral repressors TEMPRANILLO1 and 2 modulate salt tolerance by regulating hormonal components and photo-protection in Arabidopsis.

Members of the plant specific RAV family of transcription factors regulate several developmental and physiological processes. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the RAV TEMPRANILLO 1 (TEM1) and TEM2 control important phase changes such as the juvenile to adult and the vegetative to reproductive transitions. Besides their known regulatory function in plant development, a transcriptomics analysis of transgenic plants overexpressing TEM1 also revealed overrepresentation of Gene Ontology (GO) categories related to abiotic stress responses. Therefore, to investigate the biological relevance of these TEM-dependent transcriptomic changes and elucidate whether TEMs contribute to the modulation of plant growth in response to salinity, we analyzed the behavior of TEM gain and loss of function mutants subjected to mild and high salt stresses at different development stages. With respect to increasing salinity, TEM overexpressing plants were hypersensitive whereas the tem1 tem2 double mutants were more tolerant. Precisely, tem1 tem2 mutants germinated and flowered faster than the wild-type plants under salt stress conditions. Also, tem1 tem2 plants showed a delay in salt-induced leaf senescence, possibly as a consequence of downregulation of jasmonic acid biosynthesis genes. Besides a shorter life cycle and delayed senescence, tem1 tem2 mutants appeared to be better suited to withstand oxidative stress as they accumulated higher levels of α-tocopherol (an important antioxidant metabolite) and displayed a slower degradation of photosynthetic pigments. Taken together, our studies suggest novel and crucial roles for TEM in adaptive growth as they modulate plant development in response to environmental changes such as increasing soil salinity.

Association of serum levels of antioxidant micronutrients with mortality in US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002.

To examine associations between serum antioxidant levels and mortality (all-cause, cancer and CVD) among US adults. We examined the risk of death from all-cause and cause-specific mortality associated with serum antioxidant (vitamin E and carotenoids) and vitamin A levels using Cox regression models to estimate hazards ratios (HR) and 95 % CI. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002 was followed up through 31 December 2015. The NHANES 1999-2002 cohort included 8758 participants aged ≥ 20 years. Serum carotenoid levels were only assessed for the 1999-2000 cycle. Therefore, sample size for each assessed antioxidant ranged from 4633 to 8758. Serum vitamin E level was positively associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 1·22, 95 % CI 1·04, 1·43, highest v. lowest quartile). No other antioxidants were associated with mortality in overall analysis. In race/ethnicity-specific analyses, high vitamin E and α-tocopherol levels were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality among non-Hispanic Whites. Among non-Hispanic Blacks, serum α-tocopherol level was associated with decreased risk of cancer mortality (HR = 0·30, 95 % CI 0·12, 0·75, third v. first quartile) and total carotenoid levels with reduced risk of CVD mortality (HR = 0·26; 95 % CI 0·07, 0·97, second v. lowest quartile). Hispanics with high β-carotene levels had reduced risk of CVD mortality. Serum antioxidant levels may be related to mortality; these associations may differ by race/ethnicity and appeared to be non-linear for all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Study of the Mechanism Underlying the Antihypertensive Effects of Eucommia ulmoides and Tribulus terrestris Based on an Analysis of the Intestinal Microbiota and Metabonomics.

The combination of Eucommia ulmoides and Tribulus terrestris (ET) has been widely utilized in clinical practice for thousands of years, but the mechanism underlying its efficacy has not been elucidated to date. This study attempted to investigate the role played by the intestinal microbiota and fecal metabolism in the response of elderly spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) to ET administration as a treatment for hypertension. Fourteen male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs, 18 months old) were randomly divided into an ET group and an SHR group, and 7 Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats of the same age were employed as the control group. The ET group was intragastrically administered 1.0 g/kg/d ET for 42 days, and SHRs and WKY rats were administered an equal amount of normal saline intragastrically. The intestinal microbiota and fecal metabolism were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and the GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry)/MS assay. ET treatment decreased blood pressure steadily, improved the colonic tissue morphology, and changed the structure and composition of the imbalanced microbiota in SHRs. Specifically, ET treatment increased the abundance of Eubacterium, which might be one of the target microbes for ET, and had a negative correlation with the levels of α-tocopherol, chenodeoxycholic acid, and deoxycholic acid according to the Spearman correlation analysis. The change in the intestinal microbiota affected the fecal metabolic pattern of SHRs. Eight potential biomarkers were determined to be primarily enriched in ABC transporters, phenylalanine metabolism, central carbon metabolism in cancer, purine metabolism, and protein digestion and absorption. The correlation analysis demonstrated that the abundance of Eubacterium and the decreased levels of α-tocopherol, chenodeoxycholic acid, and deoxycholic acid in the ET group were highly correlated. Our results suggest that ET has a good antihypertensive effect, which may be driven by the intestinal microbiota and their beneficial metabolites. The results of this study may help to elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism of ET.

DETERMINATION OF CHEMICAL PROPERTIES, COMPOSITION OF FATTY ACID, CAROTENOIDS AND TOCOPHEROLS OF DEGUMMED AND NEUTRALIZED RED FRUIT (Pandanus conoideus) OIL

Refining of crude red fruit oil (CRFO) through the degumming and neutralization steps intended to produce oil free of impurities (non triglycerides) such as phospholipids, proteins, residues and carbohydrates, and also reducing the amount of free fatty acids (FFA). This study aims to determine the effect of red fruit oil purification through degumming and neutralization stages on chemical properties, fatty acid composition, carotenoid content and tocopherol of red fruit oil (RFO). The results showed that degumming of CRFO did not affect the decrease in water content, FFA levels, peroxide numbers, iodine values, carotenoids and tocopherols content; but decrease in levels of phosphorus, β-carotene and α-tocopherol. Neutralization of degummed-RFO (DRFO) did not affect the decrease in water content, iodine value, carotenoid, tocopherol and α-tocopherol; but the FFA levels, peroxide number, phosphorus and β-carotene levels decreased significantly. The fatty acid composition of RFO was dominated by unsaturated fatty acids (± 75%), which increases through degumming and neutralization stages. β-carotene is more sensitive than α-tocopherol during refining process of crude oil, but in general, this process can improve the RFO quality.

Negative Correlation Between Vitamin A and Positive Correlation Between Vitamin E and Inflammation Among Healthy Adults in Korea: Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2016-2018 7th Edition.

PurposeVitamins exert its effect through different isoforms. The isoform conversion phases involved are affected outside factors. Here, we investigated the correlation between serum retinol, α-tocopherol, and serum inflammatory markers using stratified data acquired from 2016 to 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).Materials and MethodsThis study was based on data acquired from the 7th edition (2016–2018) of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, consisting of survey data on smoking and alcohol drinking, serum retinol level, serum α-tocopherol level, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and baseline characteristics.ResultsThere was a negative correlation between serum retinol and hs-CRP in alcohol drinking men. There was a negative correlation between serum retinol and hs-CRP in the alcohol-nonsmoking female group. There was a positive correlation between α-tocopherol and hs-CRP in the nonsmoking and alcohol-drinking group. There was a positive correlation between α-tocopherol and hs-CRP in the nonsmoking and alcohol-drinking female group. There was positive correlation between vitamin A and E and metabolic syndrome. The lowest vitamin A level was observed in subjects with all five metabolic syndrome criteria matched.ConclusionThere was a negative correlation between serum retinol and hs-CRP and positive correlation between α-tocopherol and hs-CRP. Absorption and secretion of serum retinol are affected by inflammation status through retinol-binding protein. Alcohol acts as a competitive inhibitor of vitamin A oxidation through alcohol dehydrogenase and ALDH activity. Smoking causes inflammation and induces reactive oxygen species scavenging system and increases cytochrome p450 levels. These factors may have contributed to the observed findings. Metabolic syndrome subjects increased as the levels of vitamin A and vitamin E increased. Since obesity is inversely related to ALDH activity, we postulate that patients with metabolic syndrome may also have low ALDH activity, especially in the Asian population. Future studies are warranted to study the efficacy of ALDH or ALDH inducers in patients with vitamin A deficiency or metabolic syndrome.

Interaction between and impact of IL-6 genotype and alpha-tocopherol levels on periodontal condition in aging individuals.

Few studies have assessed the possible interaction between and impact of IL-6 variants and serum α-tocopherol levels on periodontal condition in older individuals. Here, we assessed the relationship between IL-6 variants and serum α-tocopherol levels on periodontal condition by considering effect modification. Among the study participants, 359 who were 71years of age underwent a dental examination, biochemical analysis, and interview. After dividing the participants into tertiles based on serum α-tocopherol levels, we conducted Poisson regression analysis to compare the prevalence rate ratio (PRR) for periodontal disease markers with the IL-6 genotype (rs1800796) based on each tertile adjusted by the number of teeth present (offset). The PRRs of the IL-6 genotype for periodontal condition (probing pocket depth [PPD], clinical attachment level [CAL], and bleeding on probing [BOP]) which were adjusted by the number of teeth present (offset) were 1.17 (P<.001), 1.37 (P<.001), and 1.08 (P=.048), respectively. In addition, a significant association was found between the reciprocal number of PRRs of the IL-6 genotype and three serum α-tocopherol levels. The adjusted PRRs (± standard error) of the IL-6 genotypes for PPD were 0.48 (0.12) for the first group (P<.001), 1.54 (0.04) for the second group (P<.001), and 2.11 (0.03) for the third group (P<.001); similar tendencies were seen for CAL and BOP. The results of this study suggest a potential association between the IL-6 genotype and periodontal condition in relation to serum antioxidant concentrations.

α-Tocopherol Foliar Spray and Translocation Mediates Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Nutrient Uptake, and Oxidative Defense in Maize (Zea mays L.) under Drought Stress

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the induction of drought tolerance in maize by foliar-applied α-tocopherol at early growth stage. Experiment was comprised two maize cultivars (Agaiti-2002 and EV-1098), two water stress levels (70% and 100% field capacity), and two α-tocopherol levels (0 mmol and 50 mmol) as foliar spray. Experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design in factorial arrangement with three replications of each treatment. α-tocopherol was applied foliary at the early vegetative stage. Water stress reduced the growth of maize plants with an increase in lipid peroxidation in both maize cultivars. Contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants and activities of antioxidant enzymes increased in studied plant parts under drought, while the nutrient uptake was decreased. Foliary-applied α-tocopherol improved the growth of both maize cultivars, associated with improvements in photosynthetic pigment, water relations, antioxidative mechanism, and better nutrient acquisition in root and shoot along with tocopherol contents and a decrease in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the increase of tocopherol levels in roots after α-Toc foliar application confers its basipetal translocation. In conclusion, the findings confer the role of foliar-applied α-tocopherol in the induction of drought tolerance of maize associated with tissue specific improvements in antioxidative defense mechanism through its translocation.

Placental distribution of endogenous and exogenous substances: A pilot study utilizing cryo-sampled specimen off delivery room

IntroductionReliability in the use of placentome (including placenta, umbilical cord, and cord blood) biomarkers requires an understanding of their distributions. Here we aim to develop a simple and proper placenta sampling scheme, and to evaluate the placental distributions of biomarkers. MethodsWe developed a continuous cooling chain protocol off delivery room and cryo-subsampling method for placenta sampling. The levels of thyroid hormones (THs), elements, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), monoamines, and vitamin E were measured using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, HPLC-ICP-MS, HPLC-EcD, and HRGC-HRMS, respectively. The distributions of biomarkers were assessed. ResultsIn human placentome, l-thyroxine (T4), Cd, Se, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, and β-tocotrienol levels were higher in placenta than in umbilical cord, while Pb and Mn were concentrated in human cord. In porcine placentome, T4, 3,3′,5′-triiodo-l-thyronine (rT3), 3,3′-diiodo-l-thyronine, Cd, Pb, Zn, K, and Al levels were higher in the cord. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was <0.4 for 3,3′,5-triiodo-l-thyronine, rT3, α-tocopherol, and 7 elements in human basal plate, indicating low reliability. rT3, Cd, Zn, Mn, and Cu were significantly concentrated in the central region in human placenta, while higher levels of As, Cd, Cr, and Al were found in the periphery region in porcine placenta. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) showed moderate reliability (ICC: 0.40–0.98) except PCB-81, -126, and BDE-208, while polychlorinated dibenzo-p-doixins/furans (PCDD/Fs) showed poor reliability (ICC: 0.07–0.31). DiscussionThese results highlight the complexity of placenta sampling. This study provides a novel and simple sampling approach in investigating placental exposomics.

Physical and biochemical properties of 10 wild almond (Amygdalus scoparia) accessions naturally grown in Iran

The physical and biochemical traits are responsible for the quality of almonds. Therefore, both should be considered in breeding programs aiming to search for almonds of high quality for sustainable production. The aim of this work was to analyze several important physical and biochemical traits in the kernels of 10 native Iranian wild almond accessions grown naturally in different locations in Iran to identify their potential in breeding programs. The studied parameters included nut and kernel dry weights, kernel percentage, shell cracking strength of nuts, contents of microminerals (iron, zinc, manganese and copper) and macrominerals (potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and sodium), and levels of fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic), total phenolics and α-tocopherol in kernels. Principal component and multilinear regression analyses were done to observe the variations of almonds based on physical and biochemical traits. Principal component analysis showed 4 clustering groups of studied almonds based on physical and biochemical traits, explaining 67.2% of the total variance. Results showed differences between the accessions in terms of physical properties of nuts and kernels, as well as in the evaluated biochemical traits. East Azerbaijan and Fars accessions had the highest linoleic, palmitic and stearic acid contents and the lowest oleic acid content, while Qom accession had the highest oleic acid and the lowest palmitic, stearic and linoleic acid contents in kernels among all studied accessions. Results suggested that the naturally diverse accessions and/or environmental effects might be the reason(s) for the observed diversity in physical and biochemical traits.

Analysis of α-Tocopherol in Tobacco and Cigarette Smoke

Summary α-Tocopherol, a type of vitamin E, has been known to be present in tobacco for many years. The compound is an antioxidant protecting cell membranes from oxidants. α-Tocopherol is transferred from tobacco into cigarette smoke, where it is also present. Analysis of α-tocopherol has been reported in a number of studies and in various matrices including tobacco and tobacco smoke. However, no recent publication describes a method for quantitative analysis of tocopherol in tobacco and in cigarette smoke, and many methods reported from previous studies were not published and only presented at conferences or communicated in internal company publications. The goal of this study was to quantitate α-tocopherol and, if present, α-tocopheryl acetate in tobacco and in tobacco smoke. For this analysis, an original HPLC technique was developed and is described in this report. Both UV and MS/MS (MRM mode) were used as detection procedure for the analysis. The results obtained using UV detection were in very good agreement with the results obtained using MS/MS detection. The method has been applied for the analysis of a number of tobaccos, as well as the total particulate matter (TPM) from cigarettes made with the same tobaccos. Depending on tobacco type, the levels of α-tocopherol vary in tobacco between about 200 μg/g up to about 900 μg/g (“dry weight basis”). For ISO type smoking, the levels of α-tocopherol vary in TPM between about 2 μg/mg up to slightly above 4 μg/mg of TPM. For a cigarette generating TPM of about 10 mg/cig, the α-tocopherol is between about 20 μg/cig up to about 40 μg/cig. A relatively good correlation was obtained between the level of α-tocopherol in smoke (ISO type smoking) and the level of the compound in tobacco. α-Tocopheryl acetate was absent in tobacco.

Associations of Serum Retinol and α-Tocopherol Levels with Uric Acid Concentrations: Analysis of a Population-Based, Nationally Representative Sample

The effects of serum retinol and α-tocopherol on serum uric acid levels have not been established, especially in Asian people. This study evaluated the independent associations of retinol and α-tocopherol with serum uric acid levels in the Korean population. We included 6023 participants aged ≥ 19 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels were divided into quintiles, and a multivariate linear regression model was used to evaluate the association of serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels with uric acid concentration. Additionally, we used multivariate logistic regression to examine the relationships between the levels of these micronutrients and hyperuricemia. Serum retinol levels were positively associated with uric acid concentrations in a dose-dependent fashion in both sexes (ptrend < 0.001); the difference in serum uric acid levels between the highest and lowest quintiles of retinol levels was 0.57 mg/dL in men and 0.54 mg/dL in women. In the multivariable logistic model, the hyperuricemia risk increased linearly with the increase in serum retinol level, regardless of sex (ptrend < 0.001). Although the serum α-tocopherol level appeared to be significantly associated with increased uric acid levels, this association was nullified after adjusting for serum retinol levels. Serum retinol levels were positively associated with serum uric acid levels and hyperuricemia in a dose-response fashion. Maintaining serum retinol concentrations under sub-toxic levels might be necessary to prevent hyperuricemia-related adverse health outcomes.