Vitamin E analogues as inducers of apoptosis: structure-function relation M Birringer1,2, J H EyTina3, B A Salvatore3 and J Neuzil4,5 1German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany 2Peptides & Elephants Gmbh, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany 3Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA 4Department of Pathology II, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden 5School of Health Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia Correspondence to: Dr J Neuzil, School of Health Sciences, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, Southport, 9726 Queensland, Australia. E-mail: j.neuzil@mailbox.gu.edu.au Abstract Recent results show that -tocopheryl succinate (-TOS) is a proapoptotic agent with antineoplastic activity. As modifications of the vitamin E (VE) molecule may affect its apoptogenic activity, we tested a number of newly synthesised VE analogues using malignant cell lines. Analogues of -TOS with lower number of methyl substitutions on the aromatic ring were less active than -TOS. Replacement of the succinyl group with a maleyl group greatly enhanced the activity, while it was lower for the glutaryl esters. Methylation of the free succinyl carboxyl group on -TOS and -TOS completely prevented the apoptogenic activity of the parent compounds. Both Trolox and its succinylated derivative were inactive. -tocotrienol (-T3 H) failed to induce apoptosis, while -T3 H was apoptogenic, and more so when succinylated. Shortening the aliphatic side chain of -T3 by one isoprenyl unit increased its activity. Neither phytyl nor oleyl succinate caused apoptosis. These findings show that modifications of different functional moieties of the VE molecule can enhance apoptogenic activity. It is hoped that these observations will lead to the synthesis of analogues with even higher apoptogenic and, consequently, antineoplastic efficacy. British Journal of Cancer (2003) 88, 1948-1955. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.