Vitamin E nomenclature. Is RRR-α-tocopherol the only vitamin E?

Abstract

It has generally been accepted that vitamin E refers to a group of tocochromanols, α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols and the corresponding four tocotrienols. Recently, Azzi and colleagues proposed to restrict the term vitamin E only to RRR-α-tocopherol, not to other tocopherols and tocotrienols (Azzi A et al. Free Radic Biol Med. 2023; 207:178-180. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.06.029). The aim of this paper is to express our opinion on the nomenclature of vitamin E based on available scientific data. In our opinion, it would be inappropriate to exclude all the tocochromanols other than RRR-α-tocopherol from the vitamin E group at this stage when the molecular mechanisms showing how vitamin E deficiency causes diseases such as ataxia and how vitamin E prevents/reverses such diseases are not elucidated. Understanding of whole functions of tocochromanols including underlying mechanisms and dynamics is essential before revision of currently accepted definition of vitamin E. The potential roles of γ-tocopherol and tocotrienols are discussed despite whether they are vitamin function should be clarified in the future studies.

Keywords: Antioxidant; Lipid peroxidation; Tocotrienol; Vitamin E; γ-Tocopherol.