Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) regulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and protein kinase C activity.

Alpha-Tocopherol (vitamin E) protects against free radical damage, which has been implicated in aging, cancer initiation, and atherosclerosis. We have found that physiological concentrations of alpha-tocopherol specifically inhibited aorta smooth muscle cell (VSMC, line A7r5) proliferation and protein kinase C (PKC) activity. Other water and lipid soluble antioxidants were inactive. alpha-Tocopherol inhibition of PKC and of VSMC proliferation may represent a physiological mechanism, relevant to the onset of diseased states such as atherosclerosis.