The amount of α-tocopherol (α-TOH) can dramatically alter the extent of radical-induced oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) lipids, a process generally thought to be important in atherogenesis. However, LDL with atherogenic features can also be formed in vitro by exposure to the strong non-radical oxidant hypochlorite (HOCl), which preferentially oxidises LDL apolipoprotein B-100. Here we show that varying LDL content of α-TOH by vitamin supplementation or depletion has no effect on the extent of HOCl-induced oxidation of apolipoprotein B-100 as measured by the loss of lysine and tryptophan residues, and the alteration in relative electrophoretic mobility of the lipoprotein particle.