Vitamin E comprises eight related compounds: α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocopherols and α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocotrienols. In the past, α-tocopherol has been the isomer that was studied most, and its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects have been described. Therefore, many prevention trials have investigated the effect of α-tocopherol on human health. Current research studies have also defined the important roles of other tocopherols, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and cancer preventative effects. Knowledge of the individual tocopherols could help to understand their roles in various metabolic pathways. This review summarizes the recent trends in sample pretreatment, liquid chromatography and selected applications of the determination of tocopherols in various biological materials. The relationship between tocopherol isomers and serious diseases is also described. Graphical Abstract Article structure.

3rd Internal Gerontometabolic Clinic University Hospital Sokolska 581 500 05 Hradec Kralove Czech Republic

Department of Analytical Chemistry Faculty of Pharmacy Charles University Prague Heyrovskeho 1203 500 05 Hradec Kralove Czech Republic

Department of Oncology Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and University Hospital Palacky University 1 P Pavlova 6 775 20 Olomouc Czech Republic

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