Monthly Updates Biologicals & Immunologicals: Vitamin E and immunomodulation for cancer and Aids resistance

Abstract

Nutrition has a profound effect on immunity and health. Nutritional deficiencies impair immune responsiveness, thereby, increase morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, nutritional supplementation often enhances certain aspects of immune function. Vitamin E, as a potent antioxidant and immunostimulant, has recently received a great deal of attention because of its action on immunity and disease aetiology. We recently reviewed the interaction of vitamin E with the immune system, AIDS, circulatory system, and pulmonary system [1]. This paper is a summary of several recent studies on the mechanisms by which vitamin E affects cancer resistance by immunomodulation via nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) inhibition.