Abstract
In order to examine the possible role of vitamin E on the modulation of macrophages, we investigated the effects of vitamin E on rat peritoneal macrophages, T-kininogen, and O^-_2 and PGE_2 productions in macrophages. Intraperitoneal injections of vitamin E for 6 successive days resulted in significant increase of peritoneal macrophages and plasma T-kininogen. The macrophages isolated from vitamin E-treated rats, containing extremely high level of α-tocopherol, showed less O^-_2 and PGE_2 productions by the stimulation with PMA or calcium ionophore A23187 as compared to those of control macrophages. By measuring protein kinase C, phospholipase A_2, cyclooxygenase and intracellular calcium ion, we discussed the mechanism by which vitamin E inhibits both O^-_2 and PGE_2 productions in macrophages.
