Tuesday July 22, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study suggests that vitamin A and E may help prevent or delay the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The study shows rats with induced arthritis treated with vitamin A or vitamin E significantly reduced leptin levels.  

Leptin is considered an important cytokine in the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and high levels of leptin may promote the development of RA.

In the study, rats were treated with a standard procedure to induce collagen induced arthritis.  After the development of arthritis, the sick rats were treated with 42.86 μg retinol equivalents/kg body weight (Vitamin A) or 200 mg/kg b.w. vitamin E for four weeks. 

As a result, vitamin A and vitamin E significantly lowered the levels of leptin in addition to lowering TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, ESR, and p-STAT3 protein expression while increasing the levels of IL-10.

The study concluded "In conclusion, VitA and VitE reduced the levels of serum leptin protein and other cytokines. Furthermore, VitA and VitE also reduced the p-STAT3 protein levels. The present study may provide a novel approach for the treatment of RA (rheumatoid arthritis)."  (David Liu, PHD)

Reference

Xiong RB, Li Q, Wan WR, Guo JQ, Luo BD, Gan L.  Effects and mechanisms of vitamin A and vitamin E on the levels of serum leptin and other related cytokines in rats with rheumatoid arthritis.  Exp Ther Med. 2014 Aug;8(2):499-504.