Breath ethane and pentane as measures of vitamin E protection of Macaca radiata against 90 days of exposure to ozone

Abstract

Bonnet monkeys, Macaca radiata, were exposed to 0, 0.5, or 0.8 ppm of O 3 for 7 days (one/group), 28 days (two/group) or 90 days (three/group). Ethane and pentane, hydrocarbon gases that derive from decomposition of ω3- and ω6-fatty acid hydroperoxides, respectively, were measured in expired breath within 2–3 hr following the exposures. There were no significant differences in the levels of ethane and pentane produced by the monkeys in the three O 3-concentration groups or in the three exposure-time groups as would be expected had not vitamin E provided protection. Blood plasma and lung tissue vitamin E levels were 0.69 ± 0.34 mg/100 ml and 1.42 ± 0.48 mg/100 g wet wt, respectively. Analysis of the diet showed that the monkeys were consuming 85 mg of vitamin E/kg of diet, a level about eight times the minimum requirement based upon linoleic acid content of the diet. It was concluded that this high dietary level of vitamin E provided ample protection against O 3-induced lipid peroxidation in the lungs.