Beneficial Effects of Vitamin E Combined with Antioxidants in Cardiovascular System Disorders: Experimental Evidence

Vitamin E family members have an important impact on mammalian functions, including their functions in cardiovascular pathologies of different types of disease states. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the world’s largest killer (about 32% of all deaths worldwide), and approximately 20 million people die each year. CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions. Obesity and diabetes mellitus are also often linked to cardiovascular diseases. To prevent the tendency of cardiovascular disease, primary prevention is needed to modify possible risk factors. Lifestyle, age, and family history can also increase the risk for heart disease. Several experimental and epidemiological studies have reported beneficial effects of antioxidant agents in diets, including also trace elements and vitamins (i.e. E and/or C) against cardiovascular dysfunction. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin and alpha-tocopherol is its most naturally abundant and active form. Furthermore, it has been shown that the use of trace elements such as selenium as an antioxidant together with Vitamin E contributes to more benefits in the prevention and/or therapy of various organ dysfunctions. Moreover, it has been also widely documented that Vitamin E therapy with antioxidants can prevent or delay the onset and development of cardiovascular complications in patients and animal models with abnormal metabolism. The scope of this chapter is to summarize the important roles of Vitamin E as an important agent in cardiovascular health and pathologies. An interesting finding of Vitamin E associated with heart function, particularly with either selenium or omega-3, will also be discussed.