Tocomin SupraBio® Protects Against Heart Disease

EDISON, N.J.A new rat-model study showed Tocomin SupraBio® by Carotech better protects irradiated hearts against heart disease compared to Pentoxyfylline (PTX) treatment alone (PLoS One. 2013 Jul 22;8(7):e68762. doi: 10.1371).

Exposure to radiation can cause radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD), especially for patients who received radiotherapy treatment for breast or lung cancer. Tocotrienols are known as potent radioprotectors, according to previous in-vitro studies by the U.S. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute.

In the latest study, researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences examined the effects of PTX alone, and in combination with Tocomin SupraBio®, which was given three months after irradiation. Researchers employed image-guided irradiation to deliver 21 Gy of radiation to the rats hearts to avoid exposing the lungs and spinal cord.

The rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group one acted as a control and received regular chow with a small amount of alpha-tocopherol to support the rats' health. Group two received local heart irradiation and regular chow. Group three received local heart irradiation, and three months later, the rats were fed with PTX-enriched chow. Group four also received local heart irradiation, and three months later, the rats were fed PTX-enriched and Tocomin SupraBio®  chow.

Tocomin SupraBio®, a full-spectrum palm tocotrienol complex, was given to the rats daily at a dosage of 43 mg/kg body weight. The daily dose of PTX was 95 to 110 mg/kg body weight, and alpha-tocopherol (as contained in Tocomin SupraBio® and chow) was at 15 to 17 mg/kg body weight/day. Rats were then monitored for another three months.

Treatment with PTX alone did not improve cardiac functions of irradiated heart in 35 percent of animals that demonstrated arrhythmia. The researchers found Tocomin SupraBio® reduced myocardial injury by decreasing the number of mast cells and macrophages in irradiated hearts, supporting tocotrienols potent anti-inflammatory property.

In addition, supplementation with Tocomin SupraBio® significantly increased plasma levels of all vitamin E forms compared to the control group, even in the presence of alpha-tocopherol. With the SupraBio® System, tocopherols do not seem to interfere with tocotrienols absorption.

The heart is especially vulnerable to radiation-induced side effects, and recently, it was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that women with breast cancer who have undergone radiotherapy are at high risk for ischemic heart disease," said WH Leong, vice president of Carotech Inc. "This study shows that Tocomin SupraBio® exerts better protection on the heart and cardiac functions by reducing myocardial inflammatory infiltration after irradiation."

Tocomin SupraBio® was selected as a finalist in the Best New Ingredient" category of the Nutracons 2012 NutrAwards.