Serum Vitamin E (α-Tocopherol) Estimation: A Potential Biomarker of Antioxidant Status Evaluation on Heavy Metal Toxicities

The toxicity of heavy metal varied on the absorption, concentration, and determination of the toxicant at its site of action. The end product of toxicant reacts with the endogenous target molecule like receptors, enzymes, DNA, protein, or lipid and seriously alters the biological micro environment, resulting structural and functional changes due to toxic damage. Heavy metals intoxication leads to increased lipid peroxidation with alterations in antioxidant defenses. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a fat soluble antioxidant that inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species formed when fat undergoes oxidation. Vitamin E is linked to regulate various diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis, hypertension, male infertility etc. This review discussed on significance of vitamin E (α-tocopherol) as a biomarker against metal toxicities including a modified methodology developed by author and his group to evaluate serum vitamin E concentration. Biomarkers can provide direct measures of actual effects of chemicals upon living organisms in the field, there by overcoming large areas of uncertainty implicit in normal risk assessment. It may be suggested that future studies should screen on individual exposed to heavy metal based on their antioxidant status in blood like serum vitamin E (α-tocopherol) level as a marker of oxidative or inflammatory risk. Researchers should confirm whether markers of oxidative risk are lowered, in addition to monitoring direct toxicity outcomes. The review also focuses on recent patent of α-tocopherol as biomarker.