Human oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of tocotrienols from tocotrienol-rich (tocopherol-low) barley oil and palm oil formulations

authored by: Astrid M. Drotleff, C. Bohnsack, Inga Schneider, Andreas Hahn, Waldemar Ternes
Abstract: Tocotrienols are members of the vitamin E family thought to have hypocholesterolaemic, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective properties. We compared the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of 450. mg total tocotrienols from α-tocotrienol-rich barley oil and γ-tocotrienol-rich palm oil (both also low in tocopherols) in seven healthy male human subjects 0-24. h post-dose. The maximum α-tocotrienol plasma concentration (22.57. ±. 2.84. mg/L, 2.1. ±. 0.3. h) was significantly ( p<. 0.001) higher for barley oil than for palm oil (5.25. ±. 0.99. mg/L, 2.3. ±. 0.6. h). The area under the curve (0-24. h) of total (α-, β-, γ-, δ-) tocotrienols was significantly ( p<. 0.001) (2.6fold) higher in the barley oil group, where the total (0-24. h) urinary metabolites carboxyethyl-hydroxychromans (CEHC) and carboxymethylbutyl-hydroxychromans (CMBHC) were also significantly ( p<. 0.05) (1.2fold) higher (163.9. ±. 19.2. μmol). Thus, due to its high proportion of α-tocotrienol, which is known for its preferential absorption, the barley oil formulation was superior to the commercial palm oil formulation. This provides support for the application of tocotrienols from barley oil in the functional foods field.
Organisation(s): Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section
External Organisation(s): University of Veterinary Medicine of Hannover, Foundation
Type: Article
Journal: Journal of functional foods
Volume: 7
Pages: 150-160
No. of pages: 11
ISSN: 1756-4646
Publication date: 2014
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Food Science, Medicine (miscellaneous), Nutrition and Dietetics
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2014.01.001 (Access: Closed)