Chemical evidence for interactions between vitamins E and C.

Experimental proof is provided for interactions between radicals of vitamin E/vitamin C as generated by air-oxidized lipids (liquid fraction of subcutaneous chicken fat). Using ESR spectroscopy, hydrogen atom exchange is shown to take place between vitamin C and the radical of vitamin E. Sequential consumption of these two vitamins in oxidized lipid, first vitamin C then vitamin E, is demonstrated by means of differential pulse polarography. These results elucidate the in vitro radical scavenging functions attributed to vitamin E and vitamin C as well as their synergism in lipid antioxidation.