Commentary
Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2006) 126, 1447–1449. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5700308
A New Wrinkle on Topical Vitamin E and Photo-inflammation: Mechanistic Studies of a Hydrophilic 
-Tocopherol Derivative Compared with 
-Tocopherol
- 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- 2Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Correspondence: Dr. Raymond L. Konger, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Fesler Hall, Room 403, 1120 South Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. E-mail: rkonger@iupui.edu
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Abstract
The antioxidant function of vitamin E is thought to mediate its photo-protective effects. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important mediator of early photo-inflammation. Thus, the ability of 
-tocopherol to inhibit COX-2 activity independently of its antioxidant function raises important questions regarding potential roles that this form of vitamin E plays in photo-protection and skin cancer chemoprevention.
