Tocotrienol Complex Shows Potential as Prophylactic Agent in Stroke

Recently published in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, this pre-clinical study used canine model to elucidate the mechanism of tocotrienols in protecting the brain during and after ischemic stroke.

Oct 4 2011 --- GMP-certified palm tocotrienol complex producer, Carotech shares findings of an NIH-funded pre-clinical study that supports Tocomin SupraBio bioenhanced natural full spectrum palm tocotrienol complex as a natural prophylactic compound in protecting against stroke after transient ischemic attack (TIA).

For the past decade, Professor Chandan Sen and his team of researchers at the Ohio State University Medical Centre have been researching stroke prevention properties of FDA-approved GRAS Tocomin and Tocomin SupraBio palm tocotrienol complex, from cellular models to small animals and the encouraging outcome of this current large animal model, that paves the way for a full clinical trial to study the effects of Tocomin SupraBio bioenhanced palm tocotrienol complex in patients at high risk for stroke.

Recently published in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, this pre-clinical study used canine model to elucidate the mechanism of tocotrienols in protecting the brain during and after ischemic stroke. 20 canines were randomized into two groups. Tocotrienol treatment group with 11 canines received 200mg of Tocomin SupraBio patented and bioenhanced palm mixed tocotrienols softgel twice a day after meal. The Placebo group with 9 canines received Vitamin E stripped corn oil softgel which were identical looking. Supplements were given for 10 weeks. Stroke was induced within 12 hours after administering the last supplement.

Researchers found that the mixed tocotrienols (Tocomin SupraBio) supplemented group had significantly less stroke-induced lesion volume compared to placebo. Compared to placebo group, brain lesions in the treatment group at 1 hour and 24 hour after stroke were smaller by about 60% and 80% respectively. Tocomin SupraBio also prevented loss of white matter fiber tract connectivity following stroke. Further analysis showed that Tocomin SupraBio triggered and increased blood circulation through collateral arteries to the area of the brain that suffered ischemic stroke.

Chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 1 (TIMP1) genes are important gene targets of cerebral arteriogenesis (remodelling of collateral arteries into new brain arteries). Another ground breaking results was Tocomin SupraBio’s ability to regulate arteriogenesis by inducing the expression of these genes that led to increased CLIC1 and TIMP1 proteins in stroke affected cortex in supplemented canines. Elevation of TIMP1 also attenuated matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) activity in the stroke affected cortex, thereby controlling extracellular matrix breakdown of the arteries.

Professor Chandan Sen said in his study, “The observation that tocotrienols (Tocomin SupraBio) induces TIMP1 expression in the blood vessel of contralateral hemisphere points to the hypothesis that long term orally supplemented tocotrienols may prime the cerebral vasculature enabling adaptive arteriogenesis in response to focal cerebral ischemia.”

“It is very encouraging to see positive outcome of this preclinical study using Tocomin SupraBio, patented and bioenhanced palm tocotrienol complex in brain protection against stroke-induced injuries. We are particularly pleased to see that tocotrienols helped recovery from stroke by restoring blood flow through inducing the generation of new brain arteries that by-pass stroke affected areas,” says Mr. WH Leong, Vice President, Carotech Inc.

“It has taken more than 10 years of diligent and careful research that we are now approaching the clinical stage to test the efficacy of Tocomin and Tocomin SupraBio as a stroke prophylactic agent. The success of this trial will open up a whole new horizon for Tocomin and Tocomin SupraBio in the prevention and treatment of stroke,” added Mr. Leong.

Source: Cameron Rink, Savita Khanna, Yojan Patel, Suchin Khanna, Amir Abduljalil, Okan Irfanoglu, Raghu Machiraju, Valerie Bergdall, Chandan Sen. “Tocotrienol Vitamin E Protects Against Preclinical Canine Ischemic Stroke By Inducing Arteriogenesis”, Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, doi:10.1038/jcbm.2011.85.