VITAMIN E AND METABOLIC DISORDERS

Abstract

Introduction. Antioxidant properties of vitamin E are implicated in the prevention of chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress.
Material and methods. We evaluated the published studies, using the data basis MEDLINE and EMBASE.
Results. High circulating levels of vitamin E fractions, α- and γ-tocopherol, reduce the risk of prostate cancer and protect against genetic-predisposed breast cancer. Administration of vitamin E daily reduced the risk of heart attack in diabetic patients. Vitamin E supplementation showed a lower incidence of tract infections in patients aged at least 65 years. Supplementing with vitamin E may improve liver function in obese children and also in treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Vitamin E can prevent the adverse effects associated with salt intake, such as salt-dependent hypertension and nephropathy. In patients with moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease, treatment with selegiline, α-tocopherol or both slows the progression of disease. Humans who took vitamin E supplements for at least 10 years had a risk of death from amyotrophic lateralsclerosis less than half of those who did not use it.
Conclusions. Antioxidants such as vitamin E act to protect cells against effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging products of energy metabolism.