ABSTRACT
Chemistry and Antioxidant Properties of VE 202
Absorption, Transport, and Metabolism 204
Molecular Targets of Alpha Tocopherol 207
Protein Kinase C 207
Cell Adhesion Proteins, Chemokines, Scavenger Receptors,
and a-Tropomyosin 208 Cyclooxygenase 209
NO and Platelet Aggregation 210
VE Sensitive Genes In Vivo 211
Biological Properties of Tocotrienols 213
Anticarcinogenic Properties 213
Neuroprotection and Src Activity 213
References 214
Vitamin E (VE) is a potent lipid soluble antioxidant that prevents the propagation
of free-radical damage in biological membranes. Tocopherols and tocotrienols
are part of an interlinking set of antioxidant cycles, which has been termed the
antioxidant network. Besides its antioxidant properties, cell regulatory activities
of VE have been found. Advances in molecular and cell biology have led to the
discovery of VE sensitive genes and underlying signal transduction pathways. In
this review, antioxidant properties, absorption, and transport of VE have been
examined. Furthermore, important cell culture and animal studies related to the
antiantherogenic, anticarcinogenic and neuroprotective actions of VE, on a
molecular level, have been summarized.
