THE MECHANISM OF APOPTOSIS, CELL-MEMBRANE LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND A NOVEL IN-VIVO FUNCTION FOR ANTIOXIDANT VITAMIN-E (ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL)

A critical novel function for the antioxidant vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) may be its involvement in the control of apoptosis in which it acts as a 'gate keeper' in the regulation of membrane lipid peroxidation. The biochemical and biophysical antioxidant properties of the molecule are discussed together with recent evidence for its involvement in a possible model of the apoptotic mechanism. The original observation that led to the discovery of vitamin E (foetal resorption in pregnant rats fed on tocopherol-deficient diets) is considered as an unrecognised example of apoptosis.