Effects of vitamin E on mitochondrial dysfunction and asthma features in an experimental allergic murine model

J Appl Physiol (1985). 2009 Oct;107(4):1285-92. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00459.2009. Epub 2009 Jul 23.

Abstract

We showed recently that IL-4 causes mitochondrial dysfunction in allergic asthma. IL-4 is also known to induce 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX), a potent candidate molecule in asthma. Because vitamin E (Vit-E) reduces IL-4 and inhibits 12/15-LOX in vitro, here we tested the hypothesis that Vit-E may be effective in restoring key mitochondrial dysfunctions, thus alleviating asthma features in an experimental allergic murine model. Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and challenged male BALB/c mice showed the characteristic features of asthma such as airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), airway inflammation, and airway remodeling. In addition, these mice showed increase in the expression and metabolites of 12/15-LOX, reduction in the activity and expression of the third subunit of mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase, and increased cytochrome c in lung cytosol, which indicate that OVA sensitization and challenge causes mitochondrial dysfunction. Vit-E was administered orally to these mice, and 12/15-LOX expression, key mitochondrial functions, ultrastructural changes of mitochondria in bronchial epithelia, and asthmatic parameters were determined. Vit-E treatment reduced AHR, Th2 response including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and OVA-specific IgE, eotaxin, transforming growth factor-beta1, airway inflammation, expression and metabolites of 12/15-LOX in lung cytosol, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide metabolites in the lung, restored the activity and expression of the third subunit of cytochrome-c oxidase in lung mitochondria and bronchial epithelia, respectively, reduced the appearance of cytochrome c in lung cytosol, and also restored mitochondrial ultrastructural changes of bronchial epithelia. In summary, these findings show that Vit-E reduces key mitochondrial dysfunctions and alleviates asthmatic features.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid / metabolism
  • Airway Remodeling / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase / metabolism
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase / metabolism
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / metabolism
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / drug therapy*
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / immunology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / metabolism
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / pathology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / physiopathology
  • Bronchial Provocation Tests
  • Cytochromes c / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Goblet Cells / drug effects
  • Goblet Cells / pathology
  • Hyperplasia
  • Hypersensitivity / drug therapy*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity / metabolism
  • Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Hypersensitivity / physiopathology
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Interleukin-13 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-5 / metabolism
  • Linoleic Acids / metabolism
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Lung / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / immunology
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / ultrastructure
  • Ovalbumin
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / pathology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 12-15-lipoxygenase
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-5
  • Linoleic Acids
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Vitamin E
  • Interleukin-4
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid
  • 12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid
  • Ovalbumin
  • Cytochromes c
  • Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase
  • Electron Transport Complex IV