Document Detail


Vitamin E and apoptosis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17628180     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Vitamin E is a generic term that refers to a family of compounds that is further divided into two subgroups called tocopherols and tocotrienols. All natural forms of tocopherols and tocotrienols are potent antioxidants that regulate peroxidation reactions and controls free radical production within the body. However, it is now firmly established that many of the biological actions mediated by individual vitamin E isoforms are not dependent on their antioxidant activity. Furthermore, synthetic ether derivatives of vitamin E that no longer possess antioxidant activity also display a wide range of biological activities. One of the most intriguing therapeutic applications for natural vitamin E and vitamin E derivatives currently being investigated is their use as anticancer agents. Specific forms of vitamin E display potent apoptotic activity against a wide range of cancer cell types, while having little or no effect on normal cell function or viability. Experimental studies have also determined that the intracellular mechanisms mediating the apoptotic effects of specific vitamin E compounds display great diversity in different types of caner cells and has been found to restore multidrug resistant tumor cells sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. These findings strongly suggest that some natural and synthetic analogues of vitamin E can be used effectively as anticancer therapy either alone or in combination to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity of other anticancer agents.
Authors:
Paul W Sylvester
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Vitamins and hormones     Volume:  76     ISSN:  0083-6729     ISO Abbreviation:  Vitam. Horm.     Publication Date:  2007  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-07-13     Completed Date:  2007-09-13     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0413601     Medline TA:  Vitam Horm     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  329-56     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana 71209, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Antioxidants* / chemistry,  metabolism,  pharmacology
Apoptosis* / drug effects
Humans
Neoplasms* / drug therapy,  metabolism
Vitamin E* / chemistry,  metabolism,  pharmacology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Antioxidants; 1406-18-4/Vitamin E

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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