VITAMIN-E SUPPLEMENTATION SUPPRESSES INDEXES OF LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND PLATELET COUNTS IN BLOOD OF SMOKERS AND NONSMOKERS BUT PLASMA-LIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED

Smokers incur a sustained free radical load that may increase their vi tamin E requirement. Erythrocytes of male smokers from a Scottish popu lation with a habitually low vitamin E intake were more susceptible to hydrogen peroxide-stimulated peroxidation than were those from nonsmo kers (P < 0.001). Plasma concentrations of lipid peroxides, thiobarbit uric acid reactive substances, and conjugated dienes were also elevate d in smokers compared with nonsmokers (P < 0.05). These indexes of oxi dative stress were markedly decreased (P < 0.001) in the smokers and n onsmokers after consumption of 280 mg dl-alpha tocopherol acetate/d fo r 10 wk. Platelet numbers in serum of both smokers and nonsmokers were also decreased by vitamin E supplementation (P < 0.02). Although the clinical significance of the results is unclear, elevated indexes of l ipid peroxidation are associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclero sis, and platelets are involved with fibrinolysis. Therefore, both smo kers and nonsmokers may benefit from increased vitamin E intakes.