Effect of alpha-tocopherol on the rate of photohemolysis of human erythrocytes.

The results of this study demonstrate that alpha-tocopherol has a significant ability in vivo to prohibit the production of cholesterol hydroperoxide in the erythrocyte membrane, and also significantly reduce the degree of cell membrane deformation upon exposure of the blood to light and oxygen (photooxygenation conditions). This study suggests that alpha-tocopherol prohibits the production of cholesterol hydroperoxide in the membrane which if produced leads to a weakened membrane observed as a "budded" cell in the electron micrographs.