title: Vitamin E as a universal antioxidant and stabilizer of biological membranes.
abstract: The known literature data concerning the mechanisms of molecular action of vitamin E in biological membrane systems are reviewed. The role of vitamin E, possessing a broad range of biological activities, as a universal stabilizer of biological membranes in normal oxygen metabolism and peroxidation, and also in disorders of normal metabolism resulting in pathological alterations, has been discussed. The participation of vitamin E in redox reactions taking place in lipid media, its interaction with singlet oxygen, free fatty acids and enzyme systems are considered. Physiological effects of vitamin E and its ability to prevent numerous pathologies are also considered. Vitamin E was concluded to be a universal participant of antioxidant defence reactions in biological membranes, since it acts at all stages of membrane oxidative damage.
authors.affiliation: Lomonosov Moscow State Academy of Fine Chemical Technology. rpe@httos.mitht.msk.ru
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Evstigneeva
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Volkov
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Chudinova
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D008566:Membranes / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005609:Free Radicals; D014810:Vitamin E; D005978:Glutathione; D001205:Ascorbic Acid