Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition of smokers and non-smokers: effects of vitamin E supplementation

The effect of vitamin E supplementation on vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations in red blood cells (RBC) among smokers was investigated. Thirty male smokers and 30 male nonsmokers were recruited in a study to analyze the effects of vitamin E, RBC PUFA composition and smoking on the susceptibility of the cells to lipid peroxidation. Results showed that the levels of essential fatty acids (EFA) in RBC were higher in nonsmokers than in smokers. Vitamin E supplementation increased the RBC EFA concentrations in smokers.