Elevated concentrations of α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and serum lipids in rats fed polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorobutanol, or phenobarbital

Abstract

Experiments were conducted with growing rats to investigate the effects of dietary 0.05% polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), 0.3% chlorobutanol (Chloretone), and 0.2% phenobarbital sodium on intestinal absorption of α-tocopherol and serum and tissue lipids. and the influence of dietary 5% pectin and 0.2% ethyl p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate (clofibrate) on the changes in these lipids due to dietary 0.4% Chloretone. Dietary addition of PCB increased serum concentrations of α-tocopherol, cholesterol, and phospholipids. These were mainly attributed to the increments in the fraction of high-density lipoproteins. PCB intake increased tissue α-tocopherol and apparent absorption of α-tocopherol from intestine. Similar changes in serum and tissue lipids and in intestinal absorption of α-tocopherol were observed with dietary Chloretone and phenobarbital. Dietary clofibrate and pectin depressed the increase in serum concentrations of these lipids by Chloretone. Changes in serum levels of α-tocopherol, cholesterol, and phospholipids correlated with those in apparent absorption of α-tocopherol. These results suggest that the increase in serum cholesterol and phospholipids due to xenobiotics relates to the increase in serum and tissue α-tocopherol.