Tocopherol Set

The term vitamin E covers several related tocopherols (all-rac-α-, all-rac-β-, RRR-γ-, RRR-δ-tocopherols) and tocotrienols that have been isolated from natural sources. Of these compounds, α-tocopherol is reported to have the highest biological activity. Most studies in human subjects rely on all-rac-α-tocopherol concentrations in plasma or serum to assess vitamin E status.

The biological activity of vitamin E has generally been associated with its well-defined antioxidant property, specifically against lipid peroxidation in biological membranes. With the emergence of a better understanding of the antioxidant effect of vitamin E, researchers have shown it to possess several potentially anti-tumor and cardioprotective properties, including antagonizing the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, inhibiting platelet aggregation and adhesion, preventing smooth muscle proliferation, and preserving normal coronary dilation.

More recently, the observation that all-rac-αtocopherol has a signaling function in vascular smooth muscle cells has raised interest in the roles of vitamin E beyond its antioxidative function. The RRR-γ-tocopherol has been shown to act as a nucleophile that can trap electrophilic mutagens in lipophilic compartments.