It is the principal lipid-phase antioxidant in human plasma and prevents LDL oxidation. Vitamin E also lowers plasma triglycerides levels. 372 All of those mechanisms may be expected to diminish the potential of oxidized LDL to cause coronary artery disease. Indeed, vitamin E has been proposed as the answer to the riddle of coronary arteriosclerosis. From a teleologic standpoint, the answer is clearly affirmative.
Free radicals are oxidative coals that curdle the blood, and initiate and perpetuate AA oxidopathy.
All types of oxidative injury trigger coagulative pathways and result in the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin that precedes morphologic changes observed in coagulopathy. The pathogenesis of this entity is further discussed in the section dealing with free radical pathology. Oxidopathy Beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, is generally regarded as a lipid-phase antioxidant. Shaish et al. 85 showed that it modulates endothelial function, is thought to directly influence nuclear receptors, and inhibits atherosclerosis in rabbit. For those reasons, it has been empirically used by clinicians.