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==Roles in the Body==
 
==Roles in the Body==
#'''Antioxidant''': Reactive oxygen species (e.g., peroxide, superoxide, and nitric oxide radicals) are formed during normal cellular respiration. These free radicals can cause damage to membrane-bound polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as [[DNA|deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)]]. Membrane and intracellular vitamin E is able to donate a hydrogen electron to help prevent or stop propagation of this cellular damage. Oxidized α-tocopherols can be regenerated within the cell by other antioxidant systems, such as glutathione and vitamin C<ref name="Chow"/>.
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#'''Antioxidant''': Reactive oxygen species (e.g. peroxide, superoxide, and nitric oxide radicals) are formed during normal cellular respiration. These free radicals can cause damage to membrane-bound polyunsaturated [[Fatty Acids Overview - Nutrition|fatty acids]] (PUFAs) as well as [[DNA|deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)]]. Membrane and intracellular vitamin E is able to donate a hydrogen electron to help prevent or stop propagation of this cellular damage. Oxidized α-tocopherols can be regenerated within the cell by other antioxidant systems, such as glutathione and [[vitamin C<ref name="Chow"/>.
 
#'''Cell Signalling''': Aside from its role as an antioxidant, α-tocopherol is also an inhibitor of protein kinase C in [[platelets]]. The presence of high concentrations of α-tocopherol in endothelial cells also down-regulates the intracellular and vascular cell adhesion molecules. The combination of these two effects can result in inhibition of platelet aggregation<ref name="Brigelius">Brigelius-Flohe R and Traber MG. Vitamin E: function and metabolism. FASEB 1999;13:1145-1155.</ref>.
 
#'''Cell Signalling''': Aside from its role as an antioxidant, α-tocopherol is also an inhibitor of protein kinase C in [[platelets]]. The presence of high concentrations of α-tocopherol in endothelial cells also down-regulates the intracellular and vascular cell adhesion molecules. The combination of these two effects can result in inhibition of platelet aggregation<ref name="Brigelius">Brigelius-Flohe R and Traber MG. Vitamin E: function and metabolism. FASEB 1999;13:1145-1155.</ref>.
  
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