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Cigarette smoke alters human vitamin E requirements
Richard S Bruno1, Maret G Traber
1Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
The Journal of Nutrition
|March 30, 2005
Summary
Cigarette smoke depletes vitamin E in smokers, affecting its metabolism and potentially increasing dietary needs. Carboxy-ethyl-hydroxy-chroman (CEHC) may serve as a biomarker for vitamin E status in this population.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Human Nutrition
- Toxicology
Background:
- Vitamin E, a key antioxidant, prevents lipid peroxidation.
- Cigarette smoke induces oxidative stress, but its in vivo effect on vitamin E in humans is unclear.
- Understanding vitamin E dynamics in smokers is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of cigarette smoke on vitamin E metabolism in vivo.
- To investigate gamma-tocopherol (gamma-T) nitration and alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) biokinetics in smokers.
- To assess carboxy-ethyl-hydroxy-chroman (CEHC) as a biomarker and evaluate vitamin E requirements in smokers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on human studies.
- Analysis of data on vitamin E metabolites, including CEHC.
- Examination of studies on tocopherol biokinetics and oxidative stress markers.
Main Results:
- Cigarette smoke influences gamma-tocopherol (gamma-T) nitration and alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) biokinetics in smokers.
- Changes in synthesis, plasma concentrations, and urinary excretion of CEHC are observed in smokers.
- Evidence suggests smokers may have altered vitamin E status and potentially increased dietary requirements.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking significantly impacts vitamin E metabolism and status in humans.
- CEHC shows potential as a reliable biomarker for assessing vitamin E status in smokers.
- Further research is needed to confirm increased vitamin E requirements for smokers.