[Molecular aspects of the mechanism of anti-oxidant activity of vitamin E: features of the action of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol].

Current data on mechanisms of vitamin E action are reviewed with the specific reference to the antioxidant theory. Experimental data relevant to this theory on alpha- and gamma-tocopherols reactions in biological and nonbiological systems are considered. Distinctly lower biological activity of gamma-tocopherol, as compared with that of alpha-tocopherol, was shown not to depend only on dissimilar antiradical properties of these two homologues. Tocopherol-binding proteins, exhibiting high affinity only to alpha-tocopherol, appear to be responsible for realization of the biologically important reactions.