Abstract
- Background
Solar-induced cutaneous damage is mediated partly via oxidative pathways. Some evidence exists for a photoprotective role of antioxidants. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we examined the effect of a long-term, orally administered antioxidant against $\text{UV}$-induced epidermal damage.
- Methods
Healthy human subjects supplemented their usual diet daily with either $400\text{ IU}$ of oral vitamin E ($\alpha$-tocopherol acetate) or placebo over a 6-month period. Minimal erythema dose ($\text{MED}$) and histologic response to threefold $\text{MED}$ exposure were determined at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months.
- Results
The $\text{MED}$ did not vary substantially at the three time points within each treatment group or in the vitamin E-supplemented group versus the placebo group. The number of sunburn cells produced by a threefold $\text{MED}$ exposure was also not significantly different between the two groups. Of note, however, vitamin E levels in plasma increased only modestly and in skin biopsy specimens were unchanged following 1 month and 6 months of supplementation.
- Conclusions
No clinical or histologic difference in the response to $\text{UVB}$ could be detected between the placebo and vitamin E-supplemented groups. In this small study, daily ingestion of $400\text{ IU}$ of oral $\alpha$-tocopherol daily does not provide meaningful photoprotection.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7944506/