Moderate dietary supplementation with vitamin E enhances lymphocyte functionality in the adult cat

Res Vet Sci. 2015 Apr:99:63-9. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.01.007. Epub 2015 Jan 22.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of supplemental Vit E and/or Se on selected parameters of the immune system of the cat. Nine diets were fed in a 3 × 3 factorial design with no supplementation (control (C)); and either moderate (M); or high (H) levels of Vit E (0, 225 or 450 mg/kg DM diet) and/or Se (0, 2 or 10 mg/kg DM diet) added to a complete and balanced basal diet. After 28 days of feeding, enhanced lymphocyte proliferative responses to Concanavalin A and phytohaemagglutinin were observed (P < 0.05) in cats fed diets containing supplemental Vit E, irrespective of whether they also contained Se. Cats in the MVitE, HVitE, MVitE + MSe, HVitE + MSe, and HVitE + HSe groups all showed enhancement of phagocytic activity compared to control animals (P < 0.001). Our results indicate that a supplemental level of 225 mg/kg DM diet Vit E appears to have beneficial effects on immune function in the cat.

Keywords: Cat; Dietary supplementation; Feline; Immune function; Selenium; Vitamin E.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Cats / immunology*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Diet / veterinary*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Immune System / drug effects
  • Immune System / physiology
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Male
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects
  • Phagocytosis / physiology
  • Selenium / pharmacology
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Vitamin E
  • Selenium