Heart protection by vitamin E.

Less damage from administration of vitamin E in acute myocardial infarction

In a heart attack always heart tissue is damaged. The administration of vitamin E in acute myocardial infarction seems to reduce this damage. This has been shown in a study with mice.

Vitamin E protects against dangerous diseases

According to health experts, vitamin E should slow down skin aging, relieve joint wear in rheumatism and osteoarthritis and even protect against cancer and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, scientists found that it provides protection against oxidative stress. And apparently the vitamin can also contribute to less tissue damage in a heart attack.

A scientific study provides evidence that the administration of vitamin E in acute myocardial infarction leads to less tissue damage. (Image: Adiano / fotolia.com)

Around 30 percent less damaged tissue

Dr. Maria Wallert from the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (FSU) has investigated the animal model of the effects of the administration of vitamin E (α-tocopherol) in acute myocardial infarction.

As a model organism mice were used in which a heart attack was induced.

"It is well-known that the concentration of α-tocopherol in the plasma of infarct patients decreases dramatically," explains Dr. Wallert in a message.

A link with the antioxidant effect of α-tocopherol is likely, the scientist. The α-tocopherol is probably needed to strengthen the body's defenses against oxidative stress and inflammatory processes.

In the experiment, it was shown that about 30 percent less damaged tissue as a result of myocardial infarction, as compared to the animals of the comparison group. Correspondingly, the cardiac function of the α-tocopherol-treated mice had been better.

According to the researcher, it is still too early to transfer the test results to human medicine. "Perspectively, however, it may be a therapeutic approach to administer α-tocopherol, ie vitamin E, before stents are placed."

Excellent researcher

Dr. Wallert has now been awarded the "GVF Vitamin Prize" by the Society for Applied Vitamin Research for her study "α-tocopherol preserves myocardial function by amelioration of oxidative pathways in ischemia / reperfusion injury".

The 33-year-old nutritionist researched in her postdoctoral fellowship at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, together with Melanie Ziegler.

The inspiration for her now award-winning research work was received by Maria Wallert from her boss Prof. Dr. med. Karlheinz Peter, a cardiologist who works in Melbourne.

The award surprised her, especially since the work has not yet been published, Dr. Wallert. (Ad)