Abstract
Because both vitamin E and selenium protect against lipid peroxidation, we evaluated the relationship between breath pentane, evolved from the peroxidation of linoleic acid, and plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), Se, and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSHPx). Nine home parenteral-nutrition (HPN) patients received added Se in intravenous solutions and were compared with 10 normal control subjects. The excretion of pentane (pmol.kg-1.min-1, means +/- SEM) in control subjects (6.34 +/- 0.96) was significantly lower than in HPN patients (15.02 +/- 1.12, p less than 0.001). alpha-Tocopherol (mumol/L), Se (mumol/L), and Se-GSHPx (U) values were, respectively, 18.13 +/- 1.70, 1.70 +/- 0.05, and 5.34 +/- 0.27 in control subjects and 10.21 +/- 1.66, 1.35 +/- 0.14, and 7.01 +/- 0.31 in HPN patients. All differences were statistically significant. Significant negative correlations were observed between plasma alpha-tocopherol levels and HPN duration and between pentane output and plasma alpha-tocopherol levels (r = -0.58, p less than 0.01). In HPN patients with reduced plasma alpha-tocopherol levels associated with increased pentane output, there is, inferentially, increased lipid peroxidation despite normal plasma Se and Se-GSHPx levels.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
