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Effects of vitamin E on the toxicity of oxidized LDL on endothelial cells in vitro in smokers vs nonsmokers on diets rich in fish

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 59, pages 1282–1290 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To clarify whether supplementation of vitamin E can alter the low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation properties and thereby affect endothelial cell function and prostacyclin production in smokers compared to nonsmokers on diets rich in fish in a pilot study.

Design:

The LDL of six smokers and six nonsmokers on habitual high fish diet was isolated before and after an 8-week supplementation of vitamin E (800 IU/day). LDL was oxidized by incubation with CuSO4. Cytotoxicity of LDL oxidized to different degrees on endothelial cells was investigated in vitro in these two groups.

Setting:

Helsinki University Central Hospital; Institute of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, University of Helsinki.

Results:

At baseline, the rate of oxidation was higher in nonsmokers than in smokers. The lag phase increased significantly after the supplementation of vitamin E both in smokers and nonsmokers. Native LDL dose dependently tended to reduce the viability of endothelial cells in vitro more markedly when isolated from smokers than from nonsmokers. Vitamin E supplementation had no beneficial effect on the cytotoxicity of oxidized LDLs in endothelial cell culture. On the other hand, simultaneous administration of Trolox®, the water-soluble analogue of vitamin E, attenuated the LDL cytotoxicity on endothelial cells. The vitamin E supplementation to LDL donors attenuated the increase in prostacyclin production both in smokers and nonsmokers.

Conclusion:

Supplementation of LDL donors (healthy male volunteers on habitual fish diet) with vitamin E increased the lag phase of LDL oxidation, but, on the other hand, did not influence in vitro cytotoxicity of LDL, or prostacyclin production.

Sponsorship:

Helsinki University Central Hospital and Biomed 2.

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Acknowledgements

We express our thanks to Tuija Poussa, MSc, for her assistance with the statistics. We thank Ms Terhi Hakala, Ms Päivi Ruha, Ms Kirsti Räsänen and Ms Lahja Eurajoki for providing excellent technical assistance. This work was supported by grants from Helsinki University Central Hospital, (EVO, TYH 0125 and TYH 8123) and Biomed 2 (BMH4-CT96-0979).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Finland

    L Seppo, T Lähteenmäki, R Korpela & H Vapaatalo

  2. Foundation for Nutrition Research, Helsinki, Finland

    L Seppo & R Korpela

  3. Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    M J Tikkanen & H Vanhanen

  4. Valio Ltd, Helsinki, Finland

    R Korpela

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  1. L Seppo
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  2. T Lähteenmäki
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  4. H Vanhanen
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Correspondence to H Vapaatalo.

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Guarantor: H Vapaatalo.

Contributors: LS was responsible for the manuscript, subjects recruiting, and calculations for living habits and nutrient intake. TL was responsible for the cell cultures. HV, MJT, HV, and RK were responsible for the study plan. All the authors contributed to the preparation of the manuscript.

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Seppo, L., Lähteenmäki, T., Tikkanen, M. et al. Effects of vitamin E on the toxicity of oxidized LDL on endothelial cells in vitro in smokers vs nonsmokers on diets rich in fish. Eur J Clin Nutr 59, 1282–1290 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602241

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602241

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