Influence of Supplemental Vitamin E and Zinc on the Response of Mouse Macrophages to Lipopolysaccharide

Abstract

This study, conducted to determine the synergistic effect vitamin E and zinc supplementation has on the mouse macrophage's release of inflammatory mediators in response to an immune challenge, used the RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line supplemented with combinations of 0 and 50 #956;M vitamin E and zinc. Lipopolysaccharide from 055:B5 E. Coli was used at concentrations of 0, 0.1 and 1.0 #956;g/mL media to stimulate this release. Nitric oxide production was decreased by 50 #956;M zinc/50 #956;M vitamin E supplemented and 0 #956;M zinc/ 50 #956;M vitamin E supplemented mediums, showing possible beneficial effects of vitamin E supplementation. No differences in the amount of prostaglandin-E2, tumour necrosis factor-#945;, or interleukin-10 due to vitamin E and zinc supplementation were found, although trends were shown. Inflammatory response mediators have been linked to inflammatory diseases; therefore, further studies are needed to determine if vitamin E and zinc supplementation could have synergistic effects.