NATURAL FORMS OF VITAMIN E AND METABOLITES: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES, MODULATION OF GUT MICROBIOTA AND CANCER PREVENTION

The overarching goal of my research program is to (a) examine anticancer effectiveness of vitamin E tocotrienols and a novel metabolite against colitis-associated colon cancer and sporadic colon cancer, (b) elucidate mechanisms underlying anticancer effects of these compounds, (c) evaluate the role of modulating gut microbiota in protection of gut health by vitamin E tocopherols and tocotrienols. Objective 1: To investigate cancer-preventive effects and mechanisms of vitamin Etocotrienols (d-, g-tocotrienol (dTE, gTE) and long-chain metabolite (dTE-13'-COOH) against colitis-associated colon cancer and elucidate the role of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) in vitamin E forms-mediated cancer preventive effects. Objective 2: To investigate the effect and mechanism of vitamin E forms and dTE-13'-COOH on development of sporadic colon cancer. Objective 3: To examine the role of interaction between vitamin E forms and gut microbiota in protective effects on colitis by different forms of vitamin E.