Effects of dietary vitamin E and high supplementation of vitamin C on plasma glucose and cholesterol levels

Abstract

Weanling male Sprague Dawley rats were fed ad libitum a purified basal diet free of vitamins E and C. In Experiment I (4 weeks), 24 rats were divided into four groups with 2×2 factorial design. They were supplemented with 0 or 45 IU/kg diet of vitamin E, and O or 2.0 g/kg diet of vitamin C. In Experiment II (16 weeks), 36 rats were divided into six groups with 2×3 factorial design. Vitamin E was supplemented at the level of O or 45 IU/kg diet, and vitamin C was supplemented at the level of O, 1.5, or 3.0 g/kg diet, respectively. Plasma glucose level and cholesterol level were determined in both experiments. The plasma levels of glucose and cholesterol were significantly and negatively correlated. Plasma glucose level was significantly increased and plasma cholesterol level significantly decreased by the high supplementation of vitamin C with or without vitamin E in the diet. Vitamin E deficiency decreased plasma glucose level and increased plasma cholesterol level significantly with or without vitamin C supplementation. The groups with adequate level of vitamin E (45 IU/kg diet) and no vitamin C showed moderate plasma glucose and cholesterol levels.