In other experiments alpha-tocopherol seems to lowers lung inflammation while
gamma-tocopherol increases lung inflammation.
Comment: In previous research, supplementation with large doses of alpha-tocopherol decreased serum concentrations of
gamma-tocopherol, apparently by increasing the metabolism of the latter.
Association between alpha-tocopherol,
gamma-tocopherol, selenium, and subsequent prostate cancer.
Seeds from Japan and China had a 10% greater delta-tocopherol concentration, while seeds from Korea had a 7% higher
gamma-tocopherol concentration.
The results were "somewhat opposite" for plasma
gamma-tocopherol levels at baseline.
Gamma-tocopherol on the other hand, functions in the scavenging of reactive nitrogen species, the resulting product being 5-Nitro-gamma-toeopherol.
For example, some studies suggest that the
gamma-tocopherol form of vitamin E protects the prostate.
Heinerman, a research at the University of California, Berkeley, showed that
gamma-tocopherol prevented nitrogen oxides from causing inflammation in the body, which alter cell's DNA.
gamma-Tocopherol, the major form of vitamin E in the US diet, deserves more attention.
"Although vitamin E (mainly mixed tocopherols--primarily
gamma-tocopherol) is used as an antioxidant in the food industry, the body doesn't derive much benefit from it," says Flickinger.
In laboratory experiments, the
gamma-tocopherol form of vitamin E destroyed cells taken from the brains of mice.