Novel functions of vitamin E nicotinate

Vitamin E plays an important role in protecting biological membranes from oxidative stress.1 The hydroxyl group of the chromanol ring of vitamin E reduces reactive oxygen species, in particular lipid peroxyl radicals. As a vitamin, this lipophilic molecule needs to be introduced to the body through the diet. While it is rare, a vitamin E deficiency can cause spinocerebellar ataxia, myopathies, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, skeletal myopathy, retinopathy, and immune dysfunction.2 Various nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils are good sources of vitamin E.3 The recommended daily allowance of vitamin E is 15 mg per day.4 However, it is thought that the intake of higher levels of vitamin E (300–1000 mg per day) may prevent diseases and increase longevity.5 Thus, people often attempt to increase their dietary intake of vitamin E through vitamin supplements.Most supplements use the esterified forms of vitamin E because of the better bioavailability.4 Vitamin E acetate is the most well utilized form of vitamin E ester for dietary supplementation. other vitamin E esters including succinate, oleate, linoleate, linolenate, palmitate, and nicotinate forms are also available.5,6 in the vitamin E nicotinate molecule, the hydroxyl group of the chromanol ring of vitamin E is esterified with niacin (Figure 7.1).5 niacin (nicotinic acid) together with nicotinamide comprise the vitamin B3 complex that plays an important role in energy production.7 We have recently published a review article that summarizes the information available concerning vitamin E nicotinate, particularly in relation to its antioxidant activities.5 The present chapter focuses on novel functions of vitamin E nicotinate that have recently been discovered in our laboratory