Vitamin E

Low Vitamin E and Miscarriage

Vitamin E lower in women with recurrent miscarriage

The levels of reduced glutathione, vitamin A, E and beta carotene were significantly lower in women with habitual miscarriage than in controls. However, the plasma levels of lipid peroxidation, alkaline phosphatase, glucose and blood haemoglobin were significantly higher in habitual miscarriage than in controls. In addition, plasma levels of glutathione peroxidase, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, sodium, potassium, calcium and number of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelet and values of packet cell volume showed no significant differences between habitual miscarriage and controls. According to the results of this study, we observed that the levels of lipid peroxidation were increased and plasma levels of vitamin A, E and beta carotene were decreased in habitual miscarriage.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9857484

Vitamin E lower in miscarriage with autoimmune, luteal phase defect and unexplained causes

Women with recurrent miscarriage were divided into four subgroups according to the etiology: autoimmune, luteal phase defect, anatomical defect and unexplained. Plasma levels of vitamin C and vitamin E were significantly decreased in autoimmune, unexplained and luteal phase defect subgroups than those in two control groups and the anatomical defect group. Copper levels showed a decline in autoimmune and unexplained subgroups when compared to controls, anatomical defect and luteal phase defect aborters. We suggest that decreased concentrations of plasma vitamin C and vitamin E in unexplained, autoimmune and luteal phase defect reflect the increased oxidative stress, expressing a progress of the condition. Also, the imbalance between antioxidant defence and free radical activity is more evident in the autoimmune subgroup. As a conclusion, although impaired antioxidant defence may be responsible for recurrent miscarriage, the recurrent miscarriages may also result in oxidative stress and depletion and weakness of antioxidant defence.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10767402

Vitamin E is positively associated with fetal growth

A longitudinal birth cohort study was recruited (n=1924). Antenatal ultrasound scan results were identified and the following recorded: crown-rump length (a measure of fetal growth) in the first trimester; femur length and biparietal diameter in the second trimester. Maternal plasma vitamin E was measured at the time of the first trimester scan. RESULTS: Crown-rump length was positively associated with maternal plasma vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal vitamin E status may be one determinant for growth of the fetus and fetal lungs during early pregnancy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20435859

Vitamin E effective in preventing miscarriage not caused by thrombophilia

Considering the potential adverse effects of anticoagulation in miscarriage treatment, we investigate whether antioxidants might exert the same immunoprotection. Although the fertility properties of Vitamin E have been associated with its antioxidant capacity, its effect on cytokine balance during pregnancy is still unknown. METHOD OF STUDY: Pregnant females from CBA/J × DBA/2 miscarriage model (creates an immune type miscarriage) were orally supplemented with Vitamin E. RESULTS: Vitamin E (15 mg/day) has been able to decrease miscarriage rate and to increase IL-6 placental levels, while increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) placental levels. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E is able not only to prevent fetal wastage but also to balance IL-6 and VEGF placental levels, presenting a new potential therapeutic alternative for patients with recurrent miscarriage not associated with thrombophilias.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20645940

Vitamin E protects embryo against inflammation often associated with infertility

Many sterility outcomes may be associated to the presence of an inflammatory response that would lead to an inability of the endometrium to support implantation and maintain viable embryos. We have established an animal model of inflammation in which the systemic administration of lipopolysaccharyde results in a low embryo implantation rate. The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of the inflammatory agent lipopolysaccharyde on embryo viability and to verify the ability of vitamin E to modulate the inflammatory effect of lipopolysaccharyde on embryo viability. RESULTS: The lipopolysaccharyde produces a decrease in the number of pre-implantational embryos in a concentration dependent manner. The lipopolysaccharyde effect can be partially reversed or prevented by vitamin E. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the ability of vitamin E to avoid an inflammatory environment and to allow viability of embryos.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15663600

Vitamin E deficiency during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19416566

600 mg vitamin E improved thin endometrium in 52% of patients

To examine whether thin endometria can be improved by increasing uterine radial artery blood flow. PATIENT(S):Sixty-one patients with a thin endometrium (endometrial thickness <8 mm) and high radial artery-resistance index of uRA (>or=0.81). INTERVENTION(S): Vitamin E (600 mg/day) or l-arginine (6 g/day) was given. RESULT(S):Vitamin E improved radial artery-resistance index in 72% of patients and endometrial thickness in 52% of patients. L-arginine improved radial artery-resistance index in 89% of patients and endometrial thickness in 67% of patients. In the control group, who received no medication to increase uRA-blood flow, only one (10%) patient improved in uterine radial artery blood flow and endometrial thickness. CONCLUSION(S): Vitamin E or l-arginine treatment improves uterine radial artery blood flow and endometrial thickness and may be useful for the patients with a thin endometrium.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19200982

High Vitamin E and Miscarriage

400 IU Vitamin E, 1000 mg Vitamin C linked to premature rupture of membranes

Women between 12 and 19 weeks of gestation and diagnosed to have chronic hypertension or a prior history of preeclampsia were randomized to daily treatment with both vitamin C (1000 mg) and E (400 IU) or placebo. The rates of premature rupture of the membranes (10.6% vs 5.5%; adjusted risk ratio 1.89), and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (4.6% vs 1.7%; risk ratio 2.68 ) were increased in the antioxidant group. Contrary to expectations, vitamins C and E supplementation in this dose combination may be associated with an increased risk of premature rupture of the membranes.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18928997

Vitamin E and Hormones

Acne associated with low vitamin E

Patients with severe acne had significantly lower plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E than did those with lower acne grade and the age-matched healthy controls.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16681594

Type of Vitamin E found in food is associated with higher SHBG

Serum SHBG correlated positively with serum HDL-cholesterol, plasma progesterone, and dietary intake of beta-tocopherol, and negatively with that of fructose. Multivariate regression analyses showed that beta-tocopherol and linoleic acid (found in vegetable oils) was an independent positive predictor of serum SHBG. When individual nutrients were the predictor variables, beta-tocopherol, but not other tocopherols or fatty acids (including linoleic acid), was an independent positive predictor of serum SHBG. Circulating insulin and waist circumference, but not serum lipids, were negative independent predictors of SHBG in all regression models. Additional studies are needed in women of other age groups and men to determine whether consumption of foods rich in beta-tocopherol and/or linoleic acid may increase serum SHBG concentrations and may thereby decrease the risk for metabolic syndrome and reproductive organ cancer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19339706