Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195407
Title: IMPACT OF VITAMIN E ON IMMUNE FUNCTION AND ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Author
item HAN, SUNG NIM - TUFTS/HNRCA
item Meydani, Simin

Submitted to: Expert Review of Clinical Immunology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/2006
Publication Date: 7/28/2006
Citation: Han, S., Meydani, S. 2006. The impact of vitamin e on immune function and its clinical implications. Expert Review of Clinical Immunology. 2(4):561-567.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Vitamin E is a chain-braking antioxidant that protects membranes from free radical damage. Evidence suggests significant impact of vitamin E on modulation of immune functions. Results from animal and human studies indicate that vitamin E deficiency impairs both humoral and cell-mediated immune functions. Supplementation of vitamin E above the recommended levels has been shown to enhance immune functions and to be associated with increased resistance against several pathogens, especially in the aged. The current vitamin E consumption status from diets and the status of vitamin E supplement use, the effects of vitamin E on different aspects of immune functions and mechanisms of its action, and the clinical significance of vitamin E supplementation will be reviewed.