title: Evidence for the photoprotective effects of vitamin E.
abstract: The antioxidant vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) may protect both animal and plant cell membranes from light-induced damage. The various biochemical and biophysical modes of protection are considered. An examination is made of the evidence that vitamin E plays an important prophylactic role against a number of serious light-induced diseases and conditions of the eye (cataractogenesis and retinal photodeterioration) and skin (erythrocyte photohemolysis, photoerythema, photoaging and photocarcinogenesis) that are mediated by photooxidative damage to cell membranes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fryer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004890:Erythema / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D014810:Vitamin E