VITAMIN E ISOFORM ¿-TOCOTRIENOL ALLEVIATES ASTHMA AND COPD

Abstract

Inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although corticosteroid is the first-line treatment for asthma and COPD, a subset of patients is steroid-resistant, and chronic steroid use causes side effects. As vitamin E isoform γ-tocotrienol possesses both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, we aimed to determine effects of γ-tocotrienol in a house dust mite (HDM) experimental asthma model and cigarette smoke experimental COPD model. We have shown for the first time the efficacy of vitamin E isoform γ-tocotrienol in protection against HDM-induced asthma and cigarette smoke-induced COPD by direct neutralization of free radicals, abating oxidative damage, and restoring antioxidants activities, coupled with anti-inflammatory actions in the injured airways. Mechanistically, γ-tocotrienol was found to block nuclear STAT3 and NF-κB level, and enhance nuclear Nrf2 levels in lung lysates to greater extents than prednisolone.