Induction of Quinone Reductase , an Anticarcinogenic Marker Enzyme, by Vitamin E in Both Hepalclc7 Cells and Mice

Induction of NAD(P)H : (quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase (QR) which obligatory two electron reduction of quinones and prevents their participation in oxidative cycling and thereby the depletion of intracellular glutathione, has been used as a marker for chemopreventive agents. We postulated that vitamin E, an antioxidant, which induces QR as the gene of QR was reported to contain antioxidant reponsive element in the 5'-flanking region. Vitamin E resulted in significant induction of QR in both hepalclc7 cells and mouse tissues. QR induction was observed; to be maximal at 25uM vitamin E for hepalclc7 cells while it was maximal in the level of 2.5∼5 μmoles vitamin E/㎏ BW for mouse tissues. Thus the cancer-preventive effect of vitamin E may be exerted by it induction of intracellular detoxifying enzymes.