Vitamin E stimulates endotoxin-inhibited monocyte migration and phagocytosis in vivo

Intravenous administration of E. coli endotoxin (LPS, 30 micrograms/kg, iv) inhibited thioglycollate-stimulated accumulation of monocytes into the rat peritoneal cavity, measured 48 and 72 h later, by about 40%. Pretreatment of animals with vitamin E (50 mg/kg, im) restored thioglycollate-induced monocyte migration in LPS-challenged rats to control levels. Vitamin E also partially reversed LPS-induced inhibition of monocyte phagocytosis in vivo. The results suggest that vitamin E could be beneficial in restoring leukocyte function in septicemic states.