TABLE 2.
Effect of vitamin E supplementation on antibody response to hepatitis B and DTH response in healthy elderly adults1
| Intervention group | Subjects, n | Change in antibody response to hepatitis B,2 U/mL | Change in DTH diameter of induration,3 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placebo | 14 | 3.3b | 18b |
| Vitamin E | |||
| 60 IU/d | 18 | 6.4b | 42b |
| 200 IU/d | 18 | 19.9a | 65a |
| 800 IU/d | 17 | 5.2a | 50b |
Data adapted from reference 75. Means within a column that do not share a common superscript letter differ, P < 0.05. DTH, delayed-type hypersensitivity.
A standard dose of hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB, gift from Merck, Wesport, PA) was administered on day 156 of the study and 2 additional booster vaccinations were administered on days 186 and 216. Blood was collected before vaccination, 1 mo after vaccination, and 1 mo after each booster administration, and serum antibody concentrations were measured. Change in antibody response to hepatitis B vaccine represents the difference in antibody concentrations 1 mo after the third hepatitis B booster administration compared with before vaccination. Values represent a mean change from baseline.
DTH skin response was assessed with Multi-Test CMI (Merieux Institute Ince, Miami, FL) and compared a glycine control with 7 recall antigens: tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, Streptococcus (group C), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Proteus mirabilis. The percentage change in DTH diameter of induration refers to the difference between baseline and 128 d postsupplementation, where the diameter of induration is representative of the current cell-mediated immunity. Values represent a mean change from baseline.