Analysis of vitamin E metabolites in biological specimen

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2010 May;54(5):588-98. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200900457.

Abstract

Vitamin E is known as the most important lipid antioxidant and is widely used to prevent age-associated diseases. Despite increasing knowledge about human vitamin E metabolism, little is known to justify its widespread use. As meta-analyses revealed even harmful effects of high vitamin E doses, a profound understanding of vitamin E metabolism is mandatory. By recent advances in analytical methodology, new metabolites with distinct physicochemical and biological properties were discovered. This review covers current methods to analyze vitamin E metabolites in biological samples. Special emphasis is laid on analytical applications for the identification and quantification of metabolites with a modified hydroxychromanol ring or a truncated side chain.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Tocopherols / metabolism
  • Vitamin E / metabolism*
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use
  • alpha-Tocopherol / analogs & derivatives
  • alpha-Tocopherol / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Vitamin E
  • alpha-tocopherol phosphate
  • alpha-Tocopherol
  • Tocopherols