Methods: The questionnaire was developed from the literature together with outcomes from focus group discussions. It was divided into two domains which are knowledge on ME and attitude towards ME reporting. Content validity index (I-CVI), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Cronbach alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess test-retest reliability were obtained during the validation process.
Results: Overall Cronbach alpha for internal consistency was good (0.742), where subscale of the questionnaire demonstrated adequate internal consistency, with Cronbach alpha value 0.83 for knowledge and 0.70 for reporting behaviour attitude. The I-CVI showed good scores (knowledge=0.88) and (attitude=0.81), while ICC was moderately accepted with a value of 0.77. Two factors were extracted from the 16 items in EFA.
Conclusion: The questionnaire to assess knowledge on ME and attitude towards ME reporting among pharmacists is valid and reliable. It demonstrates good psychometric properties.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the binding of vitamin E isomers on transport proteins using in silico docking.
METHODS: Transport proteins were selected using AmiGo Gene Ontology tool based on the same molecular function annotation as αTTP. Protein structures were obtained from the Protein Data Bank. Ligands structures were obtained from ZINC database. In silico docking was performed using SwissDock.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 6 transport proteins were found: SEC14-like protein 2, glycolipid transfer protein (GLTP), pleckstrin homology domain-containing family A member 8, collagen type IV alpha-3-binding protein, ceramide-1-phosphate transfer protein and afamin. Compared with other transport proteins, αTTP had the highest affinities for all isomers except βT3. Binding order of vitamin E isomers toward αTTP was γT > βT > αT > δT > αT3 > γT3 > δT3 > βT3. GLTP had a higher affinity for tocotrienols than tocopherols. βT3 bound stronger to GLTP than αTTP.
CONCLUSION: αTTP remained as the most preferred transport protein for most of the isomers. The binding affinity of αT toward αTTP was not the highest than other isomers suggested that other intracellular trafficking mechanisms of these isomers may exist. GLTP may mediate the intracellular transport of tocotrienols, especially βT3. Improving the bioavailability of these isomers may enhance their beneficial effects to human.