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Review
. 2017 Jul 5:8:444.
doi: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00444. eCollection 2017.

Vitamin E As a Potential Interventional Treatment for Metabolic Syndrome: Evidence from Animal and Human Studies

Sok Kuan Wong  1 , Kok-Yong Chin  1 , Farihah Hj Suhaimi  2 , Fairus Ahmad  2 , Soelaiman Ima-Nirwana  1
Affiliations
Review

Vitamin E As a Potential Interventional Treatment for Metabolic Syndrome: Evidence from Animal and Human Studies

Sok Kuan Wong et al. Front Pharmacol. .

Abstract

A constellation of medical conditions inclusive of central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia is known as metabolic syndrome (MetS). The safest option in curtailing the progression of MetS is through maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which by itself, is a long-term commitment entailing much determination. A combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach, as well as lifestyle modification is a more holistic alternative in the management of MetS. Vitamin E has been revealed to possess anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive and anti-hypercholesterolemic properties. The pathways regulated by vitamin E are critical in the development of MetS and its components. Therefore, we postulate that vitamin E may exert some health benefits on MetS patients. This review intends to summarize the evidence in animal and human studies on the effects of vitamin E and articulate the contrasting potential of tocopherol (TF) and tocotrienol (T3) in preventing the medical conditions associated with MetS. As a conclusion, this review suggests that vitamin E may be a promising agent for attenuating MetS.

Keywords: dyslipidemia; hyperglycemia; hypertension; metabolic syndrome; obesity; tocopherol; tocotrienol; vitamin E.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Summary of possible hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic actions of tocopherol and tocotrienol, mediated through activation or inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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