Neurodegeneration is the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons. Amyloid beta oligomers and aggregates have been linked to neurodegeneration. While previous studies have suggested that dietary α-tocopherol intake can prevent amyloid beta aggregation and protect the brain against neurotoxicity, other research, however, indicated that tocotrienol forms might be used as an alternate agent against this kind of degeneration. In the presented research, we compared the in vitro protective effects of α-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol. In this context, we formed an in vitro neurodegeneration model with primary isolated neurons and measured α-tocopherol's and α-tocotrienol's protective effects. As a result, α-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol prevent the degeneration of neurons. Moreover, α-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol regulated the neuron's calcium channels mechanism by decreasing the expression of the calcium channel alpha 1C subunit. We also observed that the amount of amyloid beta accumulation in the extracellular matrix decreased with the application of these isoforms. In specific time points, α-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol differ in terms of protective effects. In conclusion, it could be interpreted that, in more extended periods, α-tocotrienol could be a significant protective agent against amyloid beta-induced neurodegeneration, and it can be used as an alternative to other protective agents, especially α-tocopherol.
Keywords: A-tocopherol; A-tocotrienol; Amyloid beta; Neurodegeneration.
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