Possible Interaction: Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Vitamin E

“Supplementation with the PUFA led to a substantial increase in the proportions of EPA, DHA, and α-tocopherol in the plasma phospholipids and red blood cell (RBC) total lipids, but an increase was noted in the plasma phospholipid proportions of 18∶3n-3 with olive oil as well.”

“We therefore hypothesize that the LCP supplementation used in formula A improves tocopherol solubility and stability in biological membranes.”

“BACKGROUND It is generally thought that as the intake of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids increases, so should that of alpha-tocopherol , to protect the polyunsaturated fatty acids from increased in vivo peroxidation.”

“After 30 d of treatment with n-3 PUFAs, alpha-to-copherol significantly increased in RBC membranes of the intermediate- and high-dose groups.”

“Moreover, n-3 PUFA treatment induced modifications of Vitamin E status.”

“ Vitamin E increases n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ( PUFA ) and decreases n-3 PUFA, an effect that diminishes asthma and allergic diseases.”

“We also discuss the possibility that the effects of n-3 PUFAs on membrane organization could be regulated by the presence of vitamin E (α-tocopherol), which is necessary to protect highly unsaturated acyl chains from oxidation.”

“The vitamin E requirement will increase with an increase in PUFA consumption and with the degree of unsaturation of the PUFA in the diet.”

“In this review, we discuss how α-tocopherol (1) prevents the nonspecific, radical-mediated peroxidation of PUFAs , (2) functions within a greater antioxidant network to modulate the production and/or function of lipid mediators derived from 12- and 12/15-lipoxygenases, and (3) modulates 5-lipoxygenase activity.”

“It is, for instance, known that vitamin E , together with glutathione (GSH) and a membrane-bound heat labile GSH-dependent factor, presumably an enzyme, can prevent damaging effects of reactive oxygen species on polyunsaturated fatty acids in biomembranes (lipid peroxidation).”