In many biologic systems, vitamin E and Se often act synergistically. Borek et al. (121) demonstrated that Se and RRR-a-tocopheryl succinate act alone by different mechanisms to prevent radiogenic and chemically induced transformation in vitro. They further showed that there was additive protection when both were used together (121). Comparing and combining topical SeMet with […]

Ferulic acid is a potent phenolic antioxidant found ubiquitously and in high concentrations in the cell walls of grains, fruits, and vegetables where it is conjugated with mono-, di-, and poly-saccharides and other compounds (114,115). As a potent antioxidant, ferulic acid protects membranes from lipid peroxidation and is synergistic with ascorbic acid (116). Anticarcinogenesis has […]

As shown in Figure 3, the skin uses predominantly vitamin C to protect the aqueous environment and vitamin E to protect membranes from lipid peroxidation. Since vitamin C is naturally present intracellularly in relatively high concentrations, L-ascorbic acid not only acts directly as an antioxidant and as an essential cofactor in the synthesis of collagen, […]

Topical SeMet was shown to be effective in protecting against acute and chronic UV damage to the skin. Concentrations as low as 0.02% increased the MED in humans (106) and decreased acute erythema and blistering as well as later UV-induced tanning and skin cancer in Skh:2 mice (105). Figure 6 Correction of periorbital wrinkles after […]

Topical preparations containing Se sulphide are frequently used for the treatment of tinea versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff. However, the Se from these preparations is not absorbed by the skin (104). Se can be effectively absorbed transdermally when applied as SeMet, giving increased skin and liver levels of Se after topical application of 0.02% SeMet […]

There is extensive evidence that Se prevents the accumulation of free radicals, thereby protecting from UV damage and fortifying the immune system. Se is an essential cofactor for the intracellular antioxidant enzymes GPX and thioredoxin reductase (TDR) (84). Se is incorporated covalently into proteins of this GPX-TDR family of selenoenzymes (85) as well as into […]

Background Selenium (Se) was recognized to be an essential trace element in humans and animals in the late 1950s. A decade later, anticarcinogenesis was suggested by statistical correlation of decreased cancer mortality with increased Se in the diet in the United States (71). Scientific evidence indicates that indeed Se plays a role in cancer prevention […]

The scientific evidence of the benefcial role of vitamin E in protection from UV damage was discussed in detail above. Vitamin E has several other possible therapeutic roles in dermatology. Many anecdotal reports support the use of topical vitamin E to enhance wound-healing and to prevent hypertrophic scars; however, the benefits are controversial. Two controlled […]

Several forms of vitamin E exist in natural dietary sources. The form which is found in mammalian tissues and has by far the greatest biologic activity is pure, nonesterified d-a-RRR-tocopherol (47,48) which has three methyl groups on the 6-chromal ring (Fig. 4). Humans use predominantly a-tocopherol because a specific a-tocopherol transfer protein selectively transfers a-tocopherol […]