[Vitamin E deficiency: risk factor in human disease?].

Abstract

Oxidative stress is suspected to intervene in certain chronic diseases. Much research has been devoted to the relationship between vitamin E, a major lipid-soluble antioxidant, and certain widespread diseases. Experimental and epidemiological proof supports a protective effect of vitamin E in a number of pathological processes such as coronary heart disease, cancer, cataract, diabetes mellitus, and Alzheimer disease. Randomized clinical trials have not confirmed a beneficial effect of vitamin E supplementation on the progression of these diseases. Certain methodological biases could however have affected these studies, explaining conflicting results. These biases include inaccuracy of vitamin E intake estimates and changes in eating habits during the course of the survey. An insufficient supplementation period using an insufficient dose and inclusion of aged and high-risk patients are the main limitations of the reported clinical trials. Large scale randomized clinical trials including healthy and low-risk subjects, along with prolonged administration of high-dose natural vitamin E, associated with synergetic compounds, and testing on morphological or biological features, will allow a better understanding of the relationship between vitamin E and chronic diseases.

• Authors: M Feki, M Souissi, A Mebazaa
• Journal: Annales de medecine interne (Ann Med Interne (Paris)) Vol. 152 Issue 6 Pg. 398-406 (Oct 2001) ISSN: 0003-410X [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Carence en vitamine E: facteur de risque en pathologie humaine?
• PMID: 11907953 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Cardiovascular Diseases (etiology)
• Cataract (etiology)
• HIV Infections (complications)
• Humans
• Neoplasms (etiology)
• Neurodegenerative Diseases (etiology)
• Risk Factors
• Vitamin E Deficiency (complications)