Evidence for the photoprotective effects of vitamin E

Photochem Photobiol. 1993 Aug;58(2):304-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1993.tb09566.x.

Abstract

The antioxidant vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) may protect both animal and plant cell membranes from light-induced damage. The various biochemical and biophysical modes of protection are considered. An examination is made of the evidence that vitamin E plays an important prophylactic role against a number of serious light-induced diseases and conditions of the eye (cataractogenesis and retinal photodeterioration) and skin (erythrocyte photohemolysis, photoerythema, photoaging and photocarcinogenesis) that are mediated by photooxidative damage to cell membranes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cataract / physiopathology
  • Cataract / prevention & control
  • Erythema / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / prevention & control
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Retinal Degeneration / physiopathology
  • Retinal Degeneration / prevention & control
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / radiation effects*
  • Skin Aging / drug effects
  • Skin Aging / radiation effects
  • Skin Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology*
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Radiation-Protective Agents
  • Vitamin E