Mitochondria as possible pharmaceutical targets for the effects of vitamin E and its homologues in oxidative stress-related diseases

Curr Pharm Des. 2011;17(21):2190-5. doi: 10.2174/138161211796957490.

Abstract

It is well known that vitamin E functions as an antioxidant, and it is expected to exert an antioxidant effect when taken as a supplement. However, a number of cohort studies have shown that vitamin E does not alleviate oxidative stress and could even worsen it. Recently, Wang et al. investigated whether vitamin E intake was associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) based on data from 5 cohort studies with 1,055,546 participants, of which 805 of them had developed ALS. They concluded in this large pooled prospective study, in which long-term vitamin E supplementation was associated with lower ALS rates, and therefore, a possible protective effect of vitamin E deserves further consideration. Performing further large cohort studies may reveal similar findings for other oxidative stress-related diseases. It is still controversial if antioxidants such as vitamin E provide a clinical therapeutic effect against oxidative stress-related diseases. If effective, the dose at which they should be administered and the duration of supplement exposure should be of interest. Vitamin E reduces production of reactive oxygen species by mitochondria and elicits further reactions in cells. It should be noted that mitochondria are important targets for vitamin E and its homologues. Therefore, a proper usage of vitamin E in subjects under high oxidative stress, due to its individually targeting property, will arise its importance in healthy life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / metabolism
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / prevention & control*
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Vitamin E / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin E / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Vitamin E
  • Superoxide Dismutase