Two areas important for the study of vitamin E requirements in the face of oxidative stress are under investigation. It is well known that smokers have increased oxidative stress, but it is unknown whether this leads to increased vitamin E requirements. It is also anticipated that athletes who undertake extensive exercise programs have increased levels of oxidative metabolism, but it is unknown whether this also increases vitamin E requirements. Studies of the kinetics of deuterated tocopherols in smokers compared with non-smokers, or in athletes during exercise and at rest, will allow assessment of the vitamin E requirements and their relationship to vitamin E metabolites. Delivery of vitamin E to skin and its ability to protect skin is an important area of study.
Skin is the outermost barrier and is exposed continuously to oxidative stress.
Certain areas such as the face and hands additionally are exposed to UV-light from solar irradiation. Thus, studies of the ability of the skin to respond to oxidative stress will provide important clues for means of strengthening the ability of the skin to respond to oxidative stress. Currently, we are using deuterated vitamin E to assess its delivery to the skin. We have knocked out the gene for an important protein in vitamin E trafficking in a mouse model. The knock out of the alpha tocopherol transfer protein is an important tool for assessing how vitamin E trafficking in the liver is carried out.