Evidence for the nitration of gamma-tocopherol in vivo: 5-nitro-gamma-tocopherol is elevated in the plasma of subjects with coronary heart disease.

This study investigated the hypothesis that nitration of gamma-tocopherol may be an important mechanism for the detoxification of reactive nitrogen oxide species in vivo. Using liquid chromatography-tandem MS we have shown that gamma-tocopherol can be nitrated in vivo to form 5-nitro-gamma-tocopherol and that concentrations of this compound are elevated in the plasma of subjects with coronary heart disease. In addition, we demonstrate in carotid-artery atherosclerotic plaque that nitration of gamma-tocopherol is also evident at levels similar to that seen in the plasma of subjects with coronary heart disease.