Tetanus occurs worldwide and it is a bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms following contaminated wounds from surgery, burns, ear infections, dental infection, animal bites and even pregnancy. When bacteria C. tetani enters body through a wound, the spores germinate and toxins will be disseminated through blood and lymphatic system and thus affect central nervous system. The death rate for tetanus is high, at approximately 30-40% of tetanus cases.
Vitamins with antioxidant properties are known to enhance immune response by supporting monocyte /macrophage-mediated responses. Tocotrienol has been proven clinically to strengthen immune response to tetanus toxoid vaccine as described below.
Improves Cell-Mediated Immune Response
Published in the peer-reviewed journal, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and International Medical University, Malaysia, conducted this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial to evaluate potential effects of palm tocotrienol complex during immunization.
A total of 108 healthy non-smoking women aged between 18 and 25 years were recruited for this 2 months study. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 400mg/daily of bio-enhanced palm tocotrienol complex or placebo. Blood samples were taken and analyzed at 0, 28 and 56 days. On Day 28, volunteers receiving a single shot of tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine after their blood was drawn. Subsequent blood test done at the end of the study period (56 day) revealed that level of anti-TT antibody, interferon (IFN)- g and interleukin (IL)-4 in the tocotrienol supplemented group were significantly elevated post vaccination compared to placebo. Increased production of IFN- g and IL-4 indicates a positive cell-mediated immune response leading to much higher concentration of anti-TT IgG Antibody. At the same time, production of pro-inflammatory marker interleukin (IL)-6 in the supplemented group was significantly suppressed compared to control.
References:
- Mahalingam D, et al. (2011). Effects of supplementation with tocotrienol-rich fraction on immune response to tetanus toxoid immunization in normal healthy volunteers. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 65, 61-69.