Abstract
α-Tocopherol (Vitamin E=E) is the only antioxidant of red cell membranes. Its oxidation prevents damage of membrane phospholipids and proteins. E is transported in plasma and delivered to cell membranes by lipoproteins. We compared the oxidation of E in plasma (protein bound) and red cells (membrane-bound) with E in aqueous solution (solubilized with Deoxycholate =DOC). An enzymatic radical generating system was used to oxidize E under physiological conditions.
We found E protected completely from oxidation in plasma but sensitive when incorporated in cell membranes. A similar protection was found when E was bound either to serum albumin or to the different purified lipoproteins. It is oxidizable when solubilized in DOC and 4 different oxidation products were characterized by HPLC, one of which could be identified as tocopherylquinone. Similar oxidation products and oxidation rates were found for E in red cell membranes.
These results suggest that E is easily accessible to oxidation in cell membranes but is protected by protein binding during transport in plasma.
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Baitella-Eberle, G., Tuchschmid, P. & Duc, G. 90 VITAMIN E IS EXPOSED TO OXIDATION IN RED CELL MEMBRANES BUT IS PROTECTED DURING TRANSPORT IN PLASMA. Pediatr Res 20, 1048 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198610000-00144
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198610000-00144