Maret G Traber1. 1. Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA. maret.traber@oregonstate.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vitamin E deficiency in humans has lead to the discovery of regulatory mechanisms that control plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations and prevent the accumulation of other molecules with vitamin E-antioxidant activity, such as gamma-tocopherol. This review describes these regulatory mechanisms. RECENT FINDINGS: alpha-tocopherol regulatory proteins have been cloned and crystallized and their mechanisms of action are under intense scrutiny. Studies of vitamin E metabolism suggest that xenobiotic metabolism may not only regulate vitamin E concentrations, but that vitamin E may regulate xenobiotic clearance pathways. SUMMARY: Advances in our understanding of vitamin E nutrition suggest that vitamin E is a potent molecule that is closely regulated such that alpha-tocopherol is at the appropriate tissue concentrations necessary for some as yet to be described functions.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vitamin E deficiency in humans has lead to the discovery of regulatory mechanisms that control plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations and prevent the accumulation of other molecules with vitamin E-antioxidant activity, such as gamma-tocopherol. This review describes these regulatory mechanisms. RECENT FINDINGS:alpha-tocopherol regulatory proteins have been cloned and crystallized and their mechanisms of action are under intense scrutiny. Studies of vitamin E metabolism suggest that xenobiotic metabolism may not only regulate vitamin E concentrations, but that vitamin E may regulate xenobiotic clearance pathways. SUMMARY: Advances in our understanding of vitamin E nutrition suggest that vitamin E is a potent molecule that is closely regulated such that alpha-tocopherol is at the appropriate tissue concentrations necessary for some as yet to be described functions.
Authors: Janet E Forrester; Xiang D Wang; Tamsin A Knox; Carmia G Borek; Alice M Tang; Elizabeth J Johnson Journal: J Public Health Policy Date: 2009-09 Impact factor: 2.222