title: Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) regulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and protein kinase C activity.
abstract: Alpha-Tocopherol (vitamin E) protects against free radical damage, which has been implicated in aging, cancer initiation, and atherosclerosis. We have found that physiological concentrations of alpha-tocopherol specifically inhibited aorta smooth muscle cell (VSMC, line A7r5) proliferation and protein kinase C (PKC) activity. Other water and lipid soluble antioxidants were inactive. alpha-Tocopherol inhibition of PKC and of VSMC proliferation may represent a physiological mechanism, relevant to the onset of diseased states such as atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Universität Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boscoboinik
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szewczyk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azzi
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D001839:Bombesin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D016232:Endothelins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D008246:Lysophospholipids; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D014810:Vitamin E; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D001839:Bombesin