Vitamin E protects mononuclear leucocyte DNA against damage mediated by phagocyte-derived oxidants.
The protective effects of physiological concentrations (3-12.5 micrograms/ml) of vitamin E (VE, dl-alpha-tocopherol) on the formation of DNA single-strand breaks in mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) in close proximity to activated phagocytes have been investigated in vitro. Human neutrophils, activated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), induced DNA-strand breaks in neighbouring lymphocytes. Vitamin E caused dose-related protection of MNL DNA against phagocyte-mediated oxidative damage. This apparently novel protective activity of vitamin E is due primarily to the inhibitory effects of this agent on the generation of reactive oxidants by activated neutrophils and is apparently unrelated to the classical oxidant-scavenging properties of VE.
van Staden
A M
AM
Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
van Rensburg
C E
CE
Anderson
R
R
D000328:Adult; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013481:Superoxides; D014810:Vitamin E; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate