Subcellular alterations induced by UV-oxidized low-density lipoproteins inepithelial cells can be counteracted by alpha-tocopherol

Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) have been involved in the pathogenesis of several hum an diseases including dermatological pathologies, Oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is accompanied by both extensive degradatio n of its polyunsaturated fatty acids and production of lipoperoxides, These highly reactive products induce an intracellular oxidative stress with a v ariety of cytotoxic effects. In order to evaluate cellular damage induced b y oxidative stress in epidermal cells, a human epidermoid carcinoma cell li ne in culture (A 431) was used as experimental model. Cell treatment with W -oxidized LDL resulted in cytostatic and cytotoxic effects characterized by morphological and functional alterations: inhibition of cell proliferation , modifications of cytoskeleton network, microtubular derangement, loss of cell-cell and cell-substrate contacts, cell detachment and cell death by ap optosis, The ox-LDL-induced alterations were almost completely prevented by pre-incubating cells with alpha-tocopherol. The results presented here cou ld be of relevance for a better comprehension of the pathogenic mechanisms of several human diseases, including dermatological pathologies, and could indicate that antioxidants such as ar-tocopherol could represent an importa nt therapeutic challenge in the maintenance of cell and tissue homeostasis in the long run.