Stabilization of rat heart mitochondria by alpha-tocopherol in rats.
alpha-Tocopherol (alpha-T) acts by different mechanisms: scavenging free oxygen radicals (FOR) and stabilizing membranes; both may contribute to the prevention of the pathogenesis of diseases like cardiovascular events. The present work shows that alpha-T breaks the vicious cycle generated by damaged mitochondria. The latter stimulate the immune system increasing FOR formation that leads to more damaged mitochondria. alpha-T inhibits lipid peroxidation induced by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rh-TNF). Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are activated by TNF to produce FOR causing lipid peroxidation of cardiomyocyte membranes. Since TNF is used as a therapeutic agent against certain tumors, treating patients with alpha-T could protect them against systemic side effects of TNF.
Isliker
H
H
Swiss Vitamin Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Weiser
H
H
Moser
U
U
D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000502:physiology; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005527:Food, Fortified; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003402:Creatine Kinase