Vitamin E regulation of mitochondrial superoxide generation.
The mitochondrion is the greatest source, as well as the target, of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increasing evidence indicates that vitamin E can act as a biological modifier independently of its antioxidant activity. Experimental evidence available shows that vitamin E is capable of dose-dependently regulating mitochondrial generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Vitamin E may modulate mitochondrial production and levels of superoxide by preventing electron leakage, by mediating the superoxide generation systems directly and/or by scavenging superoxide generated. By downregulating mitochondrial generation of superoxide and related ROS, vitamin E not only attenuates oxidative damage but also modulates the expression and activation of signal transduction pathways and other redox-sensitive biological modifiers.
Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0054, USA. ckchow@pop.uky.edu
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D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013481:Superoxides; D014810:Vitamin E