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