Anti‐inflammatory Effects of α‐Tocopherol

Abstract

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Its incidence has been increasing lately in the developing countries. Much evidence suggests a major role for inflammation in all phases of atherosclerosis. Cell adhesion molecules, cytokines, chemokines, and monocytes‐macrophages as well as T lymphocytes play a pivotal role in atherogenesis. C‐reactive protein (CRP), a downstream marker of inflammation, in addition to being a risk marker for CVD, could contribute to atherosclerosis. Dietary micronutrients with anti‐inflammatory properties, specially α‐tocopherol, may play an important role with regard to the prevention and treatment of CVD. α‐Tocopherol has been shown to have anti‐inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. α‐Tocopherol therapy, especially at high doses, has been shown to decrease release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (such as interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α) and the chemokine interleukin‐8, and to decrease adhesion of monocytes to endothelium. In addition, α‐tocopherol has been shown to decrease CRP levels in patients with CVD and having related risk factors for CVD (such as diabetes and smoking). Furthermore, pro‐inflammatory cytokines and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) levels have also been shown to be decreased with α‐tocopherol supplementation in vivo. In this review, our focus will be on anti‐inflammatory effects of α‐tocopherol reported in in vivo studies.