Cellular uptake and bioavailability of tocotrienol-rich fraction in SIRT1-inhibited human diploid fibroblasts

Tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) is palm vitamin E that consists of tocopherol and tocotrienol. TRF is involved in important cellular regulation including delaying cellular senescence. A key regulator of cellular senescence, Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is involved in lipid metabolism. Thus, SIRT1 may regulate vitamin E transportation and bioavailability at cellular level. This study aimed to determine the role of SIRT1 on cellular uptake and bioavailability of TRF in human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs). SIRT1 gene in young HDFs was silenced by small interference RNA (siRNA) while SIRT1 activity was inhibited by sirtinol. TRF treatment was given for 24 h before or after SIRT1 inhibition. Cellular concentration of TRF isomers was determined according to the time points of before and after TRF treatment at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Our results showed that all tocotrienol isomers were significantly taken up by HDFs after 24 h of TRF treatment and decreased 24 h after TRF treatment was terminated but remained in the cell up to 72 h. The uptake of α-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol and β-tocotrienol was significantly higher in senescent cells as compared to young HDFs indicating higher requirement for vitamin E in senescent cells. Inhibition of SIRT1 gene increased the uptake of all tocotrienol isomers but not α-tocopherol. However, SIRT1 inhibition at protein level decreased tocotrienol concentration. In conclusion, SIRT1 may regulate the cellular uptake and bioavailability of tocotrienol isomers in human diploid fibroblast cells while a similar regulation was not shown for α-tocopherol.