The influence of α-tocopherol on arylsulfatases A and B in the liver of vitamin A-deficient rats

Abstract

1. 1. The effect of different levels of dietary α-tocopherol on arylsulfatases A and B (EC 3.1.6.1) was investigated in the liver of vitamin A-deficient rats and pair-fed controls. 2. 2. Arylsulfatase A was increased in the liver of vitamin A-deficient rats receiving “normal” dietary α-tocopherol, but not when the rats were fed a high level of vitamin E. 3. 3. Arylsulfatase B was increased in vitamin A deficiency regardless of the dietary α-tocopherol level. 4. 4. Incubation at 37° of the lysosome-rich liver fraction caused more rapid release of both arylsulfatases from the lysosomes of the deficient rats receiving “normal” dietary α-tocopherol. High dietary α-tocopherol reversed this phenomenon. 5. 5. The effect of retinol added in vitro appeared to be the opposite of its effect in vivo on sulfatase release from the lysosomes, whereas α-tocopherol had the same effect when added in vitro as when fed at high levels in vivo. 6. 6. The effect of vitamin A deficiency on sulfate metabolism might be mediated through the role of retinol and perhaps of α-tocopherol on the stability of biological membranes.