The protective role of vitamin E in vascular amyloid beta-mediated damage

Amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) accumulation produces the senile plaques in the brain parenchyma characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and the vascular deposits of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA). Oxidative stress is directly involved in Abeta-mediated cytotoxicity and antioxidants have been reported as cytoprotective in AD and CAA. Vitamin E has antioxidant and hydrophobic properties that render this molecule as the main antioxidant present in biological membranes, preventing lipid peroxidation, carbonyl formation and inducing intracellular modulation of cell signalling pathways. Accordingly, vascular damage produced by Abeta and prooxidant agents can be decreased or prevented by vitamin E. The protective effect of vitamin E against Abeta cytotoxicity in vascular cells in comparison to the neuronal system is reviewed in this chapter.