NFS382H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Glutathione Peroxidase, Prostate Cancer, Cell Membrane
Document Summary
Types: tocopherols only alpha-tocopherol has biological activity, tocotrienols. The substitutions on the ring structure (alpha group at r1-3 positions: tocotrienols look similar, unsaturated side chain (what makes it different); not a whole lot is known about this form of vitamin e. Absense of biomarker which is why the way to measure it is so weird. Digestion, absorption, metabolism, and storage: tocopherols found free in food, tocotrienols found esterified, vitamin e absorbed primarily in jejunum passive diffusion, most of it stored in adipose. Function antioxidant: maintains membrane integrity of body cells via prevention of the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids contained in the phospholipids of membranes, free radical termination structure of vitamin e provides hydrogen for free radicals. Initiating and chain reactions caused by hydroxyl free radical attack on. Unsaturated fatty acids: reaction chain, thought to be involved in aging, accentuating chronic disease. These studies are usually done on middle aged to elderly populations.
