Protective effects of vitamin E in age-related endothelial cell injury

Age is strongly correlated to the onset of atherosclerotic lesion formation in humans. This may be associated with an age-related increase in the susceptibility of the vascular endothelium to oxidative injury. Such injury may result in altered endothelial function as a barrier to plasma components, such as cholesterol-rich lipoprotein remnants. To investigate this hypothesis, the relationship between endothelial cell culture age, susceptibility to oxidative injury and protection against this injury by the nutrient/antioxidant vitamin E on endothelial barrier function (transfer of albumin across endothelial monolayers) was examined. An acute 24 h exposure to 30 microM linoleic acid hydroperoxide resulted in increased albumin transfer at all cell passages tested (up to passage 50). Pre-enrichment of cells with 25 microM vitamin E always protected endothelial cells against oxidized fatty acid-induced cell injury, independent of cell age. In comparison, patterns of total cell protein and DNA were not markedly influenced by experimental treatments, although age-related declines in total DNA were noted. These data suggest that the possible correlation between age and the onset of atherosclerosis may be in part related to a decrease in endothelial barrier function due to oxidative stress, permitting more blood components to enter the arterial wall. Furthermore, vitamin E may protect endothelial cells against oxidant-mediated vascular injury.