Vitamin C and vitamin E--synergistic interactions in vivo?

Abstract

The synergistic relationship between ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation has been known for some time and is now well established in vitro systems. The possibility that ascorbic acid may also reduce tocopheroxyl radicals in vivo is a subject of some interest and speculation. Although not all experiments have failed to suggest a synergistic antioxidant interaction, recent data indicate that the postulated synergism between these vitamins might be relatively unimportant compared with other metabolic processes.