Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
11:00
Using Chicken Embryo as a Powerful Tool in Assessment of Developmental Cardiotoxicities
Published on: March 21, 2021
Interactions between α-tocopherol, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and lipoxygenases during embryogenesis
Katie M Lebold1, Maret G Traber1
1Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine
|August 8, 2013
Summary
Alpha-tocopherol, an antioxidant, is vital for reproduction and embryogenesis. This review explores its roles beyond antioxidant activity, focusing on its impact on crucial fatty acids and lipid mediators during embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Alpha-tocopherol (α-T), a lipid-soluble antioxidant, is essential for successful reproduction and embryogenesis.
- Its precise biological functions beyond antioxidant activity and the mechanisms underlying its requirement for embryogenesis are not fully understood.
- As an antioxidant, α-T protects polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from lipid peroxidation, which is critical for development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the specific biological functions of α-tocopherol during embryogenesis.
- To investigate the mechanisms by which α-tocopherol influences PUFA protection and the metabolism of arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
- To explore α-tocopherol's role in modulating lipoxygenase enzyme activity and the production/action of derived lipid mediators.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the biochemical and biological functions of α-tocopherol.
- Analysis of α-tocopherol's interactions with PUFAs, specifically ARA and DHA.
- Examination of α-tocopherol's modulation of lipoxygenase pathways (5-, 12-, and 12/15-lipoxygenases).
Main Results:
- α-Tocopherol prevents radical-mediated peroxidation of PUFAs, safeguarding essential fatty acids like ARA and DHA.
- It modulates the production and/or function of lipid mediators derived from 12- and 12/15-lipoxygenases within the antioxidant network.
- α-Tocopherol influences 5-lipoxygenase activity, impacting inflammatory and developmental pathways.
Conclusions:
- α-Tocopherol plays multifaceted roles in embryogenesis, extending beyond simple antioxidant protection.
- Its interactions with PUFAs and lipoxygenase pathways are critical for normal embryonic development.
- Understanding these mechanisms provides insight into the specific requirements of α-tocopherol during embryogenesis.
Keywords:
12/15-LOX5-LOXArachidonic acidDocosahexaenoic acidEmbryogenesisFree radicalsLipid peroxidationVitamin EMore Related Videos
09:26Cellular Lipid Extraction for Targeted Stable Isotope Dilution Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Published on: November 17, 2011
03:19Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:20Radical Autoxidation
The oxidation of an organic compound in the presence of air or oxygen is called autoxidation. For example, cumene reacts with oxygen to form hydroperoxide. Autoxidation involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. Many organic compounds are susceptible to autoxidation—especially ethers in the presence of oxygen, which form hydroperoxides. Even though this reaction is slow, old ether bottles contain small amounts of peroxide, which leads to laboratory explosions during ether...
01:31Lipid-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...
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...
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
01:25Bioactivation 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...
01:19Phase I Reactions: Oxidation of Aliphatic and Aromatic Carbon-Containing Systems
Phase I biotransformation reactions are integral to drug metabolism, predominantly involving oxidative, reductive, and hydrolytic transformations. Chief among these are oxidative reactions, which enhance the hydrophilicity of xenobiotics and introduce polar functional groups to facilitate their elimination from the body.
Oxidation reactions are fundamental in aromatic carbon-containing systems. An example is the hydroxylation of phenobarbital, a process that transforms it into...
Oxidation reactions are fundamental in aromatic carbon-containing systems. An example is the hydroxylation of phenobarbital, a process that transforms it into...
01:17Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones
In the presence of oxidizing agents, phenols are oxidized to quinones. Quinones can be easily reduced back to phenols using mild reducing agents. The electron-donating hydroxyl group enhances the reactivity of the aromatic ring, enabling oxidation of the ring even in the absence of an α hydrogen.
o-hydroxy phenols are oxidized to o-quinones and p-hydroxy phenols to p-quinones. Such redox reactions involve the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The reversible redox property is crucial in...
o-hydroxy phenols are oxidized to o-quinones and p-hydroxy phenols to p-quinones. Such redox reactions involve the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The reversible redox property is crucial in...