[Lipid peroxidation and mechanism of antioxidant effect of vitamin E]

Data concerning lipid peroxidation and mechanism of the vitamin E inhibiting action are reviewed. Steps of initiated lipid autooxidation, formation of primary and secondary oxidation products, destabilizing the membrane structure and possessing cytotoxic effects are described. The mechanism of the antioxidant action of alpha-tocopherol, dependence of its activity on the structure and composition of the products of cooxidation of lipids and alpha-tocopherol in biological and model systems are also discussed.