The cooperative interaction between vitamin E and vitamin C in suppression of peroxidation of membrane phospholipids

The time course of peroxidation of rat liver microsomes by FeSO4 in the presence of ascorbate showed a delay in the onset of peroxidation compared to the time course when NADPH replaced ascorbate as the electron donor. The delay was consistent with an antioxidant function of ascorbate, possibly mediated through endogenous vitamin E. In order to further investigate the cooperation between ascorbate and vitamin E in suppressing lipid peroxidation, a liposomal system containing polyunsaturated phospholipids was used. Peroxidation was initiated by ferrous iron at pH 5, where spontaneous oxidation of Fe2+ did not occur and the antioxidant properties of ascorbic acid could be characterized independently of its pro-oxidant properties as a reducer of Fe3+. Ascorbic acid alone at concentrations of 30--100 microM delayed peroxidation by 20 min and at higher concentrations prevented peroxidation for 60 min. Physiological levels of vitamin E decreased peroxidation at early time points but the vitamin was apparently consumed during the course of the incubation. The presence of both vitamin C and vitamin E produced suppression of peroxidation at early time points (0--20 min) which was approximately the sum of the individual inhibitions. At longer time points, however, the mixture of antioxidants was much more effective than the sum of both vitamins alone. This suggests that interaction between these antioxidants yields and enhanced delivery of antioxidant protection.