Polymorphisms at cytokine genes may determine the effect of vitamin E on cytokine production in the elderly.

ABSTRACT: Vitamin E has been shown to affect cytokine production. However, individual response to vitamin E supplementation varies. Previous studies indicate that cytokine production is heritable and common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) may explain differences in cytokine production between individuals. We hypothesize that the differential response to the immunomodulatory actions of vitamin E reflects genetic differences among individuals, including SNP at cytokine genes that modulate cytokine production. We used data from a double-blind, placebo-controlled 1-y vitamin E (182 mg d,l-alpha-tocopherol) intervention study in elderly men and women (mean age 83 y) to test this hypothesis (vitamin E, n = 47; placebo, n = 63). We found that the effect of vitamin E on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alp

SUBMITTER: Belisle SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2744609 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature