Table 1.

Effects of α-tocopherol upon expression of genes.

Up-regulated genes	OBSERVATIONS
• α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP) gene,	α-TTP is responsible for the specific uptake of α-tocopherol and for the control of α-tocopherol plasma level
• CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genes	Involved in liver tocopherols catabolism [14]
• SR-B1 scavenger receptor gene	α-tocopherol-depleted rats show increased expression of scavenger receptor SR-B1 [15]
• α-tropomyosin gene	Extracellular protein [16]
• Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene	α-tocopherol induces CTGF gene expression 1,8 fold [17]
Down-regulated genes
• CD36 scavenger receptor gene	At physiological concentration α-tocopherol down-regulates CD36 mRNA transcription and protein expression [18]
• SR-A scavenger receptor gene	The same as for CD36 scavenger receptor [19]
• Collagenase (MMP-1) gene	Extracellular protein [20]
• Collagen α1(I) gene	α-Tocopherol induces the decrease of liver collagen mRNA [21]