Graz Research: Vitamin E Breakdown Products Aim to Resolve Chronic Inflammation

Starting Point: Blocking Is Not Enough

The researchers found what they were looking for in the group of long-chain vitamin E metabolites (LCM). According to the university, these so-called tocotrienol metabolites can be produced independently in the human body. The substances are also similar to a compound found in the bitter kola plant, which has long been used in traditional African medicine for inflammatory conditions.

In experiments with human immune cells and a mouse model for inflammation, the team found that the molecules also protect against ferroptosis – a form of cell death that can contribute to the inflammatory response. „In Studien mit menschlichen Immunzellen und einem Mausmodell für Entzündungen zeigte sich, dass diese Moleküle auch die Ferroptose – eine Art von Zelltod, die zur Entzündungsreaktion beitragen kann – schützt“, the press release states.

Mechanism of Action in the Mouse Model

In addition, the substances stimulated macrophages, the so-called scavenger cells of the immune system, to clear dead cells more efficiently, and supported the switch of the immune system from attack mode to healing mode. „In ersten Studien zeigte sich, dass das gefundene Molekül die Anzahl entzündlicher Immunzellen in einem Mausmodell reduzieren konnte, ohne dabei wichtige Heilungsprozesse zu stören“, the university added.

Koeberle emphasized the special mode of action of the identified molecule: „Dieses Molekül hat die gesuchte doppelte Wirkung auf entzündungssteuernde Botenstoffe.“ Whether the two slightly different compounds actually work through the same mechanism still needs to be confirmed: „Ob die beiden leicht unterschiedlichen Verbindungen den gleichen Wirkmechanismus haben, muss allerdings erst noch bestätigt werden“, the researcher said.

From the Lab to a Possible Therapy

Researchers from Graz, Innsbruck, Anger, Jena, and Naples were involved in the project. Koeberle and his team had previously investigated medicinal plants in Innsbruck for their effects on lipid mediators. His research focuses on target structures in lipid signaling pathways and lipid mediators that can specifically trigger or stop inflammation.

The results were published in the latest issue of the journal „Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B". The University of Graz thus described vitamin E as a possible key to a therapy that not only suppresses inflammation but actively promotes its resolution. However, further studies are needed before clinical application in humans.

Publication and Next Steps

The press release from the University of Graz also notes that Koeberle and his team publicly presented the research on Monday. The findings presented are considered preclinical: no conclusions about efficacy and safety in humans can yet be drawn from them.

With the publication in „Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B", the Graz project gains international visibility, according to the university. If the results are confirmed in follow-up studies, long-chain vitamin E metabolites could, according to Koeberle, form the basis for novel drugs against chronic inflammatory diseases.