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Related Concept Videos

Vitamins01:30

Vitamins

Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity01:25

Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity

Bioactivation is a metabolic process that transforms less reactive substances into highly reactive metabolites, initiating tissue toxicity. This transformation can lead to various toxic effects, including carcinogenesis and teratogenesis. Reactive metabolites are classified into two main types: electrophiles and free radicals.Electrophiles are electron-deficient species and are produced primarily by the enzyme cytochrome P-450 during the metabolism of compounds containing carbon, nitrogen, or...
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
11:56

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

Published on: April 11, 2014

Bioactivity of vitamin E.

Regina Brigelius-Flohé1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry of Micronutrients, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, D-14558 Nuthetal, Germany.

Nutrition Research Reviews
|December 17, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Vitamin E

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Vitamin E's essentiality for mammals was discovered over 80 years ago, yet its molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Only alpha-tocopherol is retained in the body due to specific selection by the alpha-tocopherol transfer protein and slower elimination rates.
  • Antioxidant capacity alone may not explain vitamin E's essentiality, as other forms exhibit potent radical scavenging properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the molecular basis of vitamin E's essentiality and its diverse biological functions.
  • To differentiate the roles and bioactivities of various vitamin E vitamers and their metabolites.
  • To review novel functions of vitamin E forms beyond their antioxidant capacity, including cellular signaling and gene expression regulation.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
11:56

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

Published on: April 11, 2014

  • Literature review and analysis of existing research on vitamin E metabolism and function.
  • Comparison of the bioactivities and metabolic pathways of different vitamin E vitamers (tocopherols and tocotrienols).
  • Discussion of in vitro findings regarding novel functions and the need for in vivo validation.

Main Results:

  • Alpha-tocopherol is preferentially retained due to specific protein interactions and slower metabolism.
  • Novel functions, including gene expression regulation by alpha-tocopherol and cancer prevention by gamma-tocopherol, have been identified.
  • Tocotrienols show potential in ameliorating neurodegeneration, though most novel functions require in vivo confirmation.

Conclusions:

  • The distinct bioactivities of vitamin E vitamers are influenced by their unique metabolism and metabolite functions.
  • While antioxidant properties are known, novel roles in cellular signaling and gene regulation are emerging for different vitamin E forms.
  • Further in vivo studies are crucial to validate the observed in vitro effects and fully elucidate vitamin E's essentiality and diverse functions.