Serum Tocopherol Concentrations Research Articles

Effects of injectable vitamin E before or after transit on receiving phase growth performance, health, and blood parameters of beef steers.

The objective was to determine the effects of injectable vitamin E (VE) before or after transit on feedlot cattle receiving performance, health, and blood parameters. Angus × Simmental steers (n = 196; body weight [BW] = 163 ± 29 kg) were utilized in a randomized complete block design. Steers were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: intramuscular injections of saline pre- and post-transit (CON), intramuscular injections of VE (2,000 mg d-α-tocopherol) pre-transit and saline post-transit (PRE), or intramuscular injections of saline pre-transit and VE (2,000 mg d-α-tocopherol) post-transit (POST). Pre-transit injections were administered on day 0, and steers were transported on day 7 for approximately 4 h (348 km). After arrival, steers were fed a common corn silage-based diet in GrowSafe bunks. Final BW tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for CON steers compared with POST steers while PRE steers were intermediate. From days 7 to 63, treatment affected average daily gain (ADG) with PRE and CON steers exhibiting (P = 0.04) greater ADG compared with POST steers. Dry matter intake (DMI), water intake, and gain to feed from days 7 to 63 were not affected (P ≥ 0.17) by treatment. Day 0 serum α-tocopherol concentrations were considered marginal (2.3 ± 0.2 mg/l). A treatment × day interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for serum α-tocopherol concentrations. Serum α-tocopherol concentrations were greatest for PRE steers on day 7 (prior to and post-transit), but greater for POST steers on dys 10 and 14. Plasma ferric-reducing antioxidant potential concentrations increased (P = 0.04) for POST steers compared with CON steers and PRE steers being intermediate. Plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations exhibited a treatment × day interaction (P = 0.04) with CON and POST steers being 16% and 14% greater than PRE steers on day 14, respectively. On day 21, NEFA concentrations were greatest for POST steers compared with PRE steers and CON steers being intermediate. There was no main effect (P ≥ 0.14) of treatment on the number of bovine respiratory disease morbidity treatments. Hair cortisol concentrations were decreased (P < 0.01) 14 days after transit for PRE and POST steers compared with CON steers. Overall, injectable VE administered before or after transit increased serum tocopherol concentrations while reducing stress, but did not improve the growth performance of beef steers during the receiving phase.

A 12-week evaluation of annatto tocotrienol supplementation for postmenopausal women: safety, quality of life, body composition, physical activity, and nutrient intake

BackgroundEvidence suggests that tocotrienols may benefit bone health in osteopenic women. However, their safety in this population has never been investigated. This study was to evaluate the safety of a 12-week supplementation of annato tocotrienol in postmenopausal osteopenic women, along with effects of the supplementation on quality of life, body composition, physical activity, and nutrient intake in this population.MethodsEighty nine postmenopausal osteopenic women were randomly assigned to 3 treatment arms: (1) Placebo (430 mg olive oil/day), (2) Low tocotrientol (Low TT) (430 mg tocotrienol/day from DeltaGold 70 containing 300 mg tocotrienol) and (3) High tocotrienol (High TT) (860 mg tocotrienol/day from DeltaGold 70 containing 600 mg tocotrienol) for 12 weeks. DeltaGold 70 is an extract from annatto seed with 70% tocotrienol consisting of 90% delta-tocotrienol and 10% gamma-tocotrienol. Safety was examined by assessing liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, kidney function (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine), electrolytes, glucose, protein, albumin, and globulin at 0, 6, and 12 weeks. Serum tocotrienol and tocopherol concentrations were assessed and pills counted at 0, 6, and 12 weeks. Quality of life, body composition, physical activity, and dietary macro- and micro-nutrient intake were evaluated at 0 and 12 weeks. A mixed model of repeated measures ANOVA was applied for analysis.ResultsEighty seven subjects completed the study. Tocotrienol supplementation did not affect liver or kidney function parameters throughout the study. No adverse event due to treatments was reported by the participants. Tocotrienol supplementation for 6 weeks significantly increased serum delta-tocotrienol level and this high concentration was sustained to the end of study. There was no difference in serum delta-tocotrienol levels between the Low TT and the High TT groups. No effects of tocotrienol supplementation were observed on quality of life, body composition, physical activity, and nutrient intake.ConclusionsAnnatto-derived tocotrienol up to 600 mg per day for 12 weeks appeared to be safe in postmenopausal osteopenic women, particularly in terms of liver and kidney functions. Tocotrienol supplementation for 12 weeks did not affect body composition, physical activity, quality of life, or intake of macro- and micro-nutrients in these subjects.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02058420. Title: Tocotrienols and bone health of postmenopausal women.

Vitamin E status and associations in maternal-infant Dyads in the Midwestern United States

Oxidative stress has been associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, and vitamin E has powerful anti-oxidant properties. Vitamin E occurs in several different isoforms which differ in their ability to modulate inflammation and oxidative stress. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the status of α-, γ- and δ-tocopherol in maternal-infant pairs, and the impact on maternal-newborn outcomes. Vitamin E status was evaluated in 189 mother-infant pairs. Concentrations of α-, γ- and δ-tocopherol were measured using HPLC. Descriptive statistics were calculated and Spearman coefficients were used to assess correlations between maternal and cord measurements. Linear and logistic regression models were used to adjust for relevant confounders. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Maternal and cord serum tocopherol concentrations were positively correlated for γ-tocopherol (r=0.32, p˂0.001) and δ-tocopherol (r=0.46, p˂0.001) but not for α-tocopherol. After adjustment for confounders, maternal concentrations of tocopherols were positively associated with Apgar scores (p=0.02) and infant growth parameters at birth. Conversely, cord tocopherol levels were inversely associated with Apgar scores (p=0.02) and infant growth. Cord concentrations of α-tocopherol were higher in infants born to mothers with a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia (p=0.04). Maternal-fetal transfer of γ- and δ-tocopherols is higher than α-tocopherol and may be mediated by either different or more efficient methods, conversely tissue uptake of α-tocopherol by the developing fetus may be higher. As serum levels of maternal tocopherols are positively associated with outcomes while higher cord levels show a negative impact, uptake and tissue deposition of vitamin E by the fetus may be crucial in growth and development. More research into the role of maternal diet, placental regulation, and fetal uptake of vitamin E tocopherols in relation to clinical outcomes is warranted.

Serum Vitamin E Concentrations and Recovery of Physical Function During the Year After Hip Fracture

Poor nutritional status after hip fracture is common and may contribute to physical function decline. Low serum concentrations of vitamin E have been associated with decline in physical function among older adults, but the role of vitamin E in physical recovery from hip fracture has never been explored. Serum concentrations of α- and γ-tocopherol, the two major forms of vitamin E, were measured in female hip fracture patients from the Baltimore Hip Studies cohort 4 at baseline and at 2-, 6-, and 12-month postfracture follow-up visits. Four physical function measures-Six-Minute Walk Distance, Lower Extremity Gain Scale, Short Form-36 Physical Functioning Domain, and Yale Physical Activity Survey-were assessed at 2, 6, and 12 months postfracture. Generalized estimating equations modeled the relationship between baseline and time-varying serum tocopherol concentrations and physical function after hip fracture. A total of 148 women aged 65 years and older were studied. After adjusting for covariates, baseline vitamin E concentrations were positively associated with Six-Minute Walk Distance, Lower Extremity Gain Scale, and Yale Physical Activity Survey scores (p < .1) and faster improvement in Lower Extremity Gain Scale and Yale Physical Activity Survey scores (p < .008). Time-varying vitamin E was also positively associated with Six-Minute Walk Distance, Lower Extremity Gain Scale, Yale Physical Activity Survey, and Short Form-36 Physical Functioning Domain (p < .03) and faster improvement in Six-Minute Walk Distance and Short Form-36 Physical Functioning Domain (p < .07). Serum concentrations of both α- and γ-tocopherol were associated with better physical function after hip fracture. Vitamin E may represent a potentially modifiable factor related to recovery of postfracture physical function.

Stearate-Enriched Plant Sterol Esters Lower Serum LDL Cholesterol Concentration in Normo- and Hypercholesterolemic Adults1–3

Studies in our laboratory have previously demonstrated in hamsters a superior cholesterol-lowering ability of plant sterol (PS) esters enriched in stearate compared with linoleate. We therefore conducted a randomized, double-blind, 2-group parallel, placebo-controlled study to test the cholesterol-lowering properties of stearate-enriched PS esters in normo- and hypercholesterolemic adults. Thirty-two adults, 16 per group with equal number of males and females in each group, participated in the 4-wk study. Participants consumed 3 g/d (1 g three times per day with meals) of either PS esters or placebo delivered in capsules. Serum LDL cholesterol concentration significantly decreased 0.42 mmol/L (11%) and the LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio decreased 10% with PS ester supplementation, whereas LDL particle size and lipoprotein subclass particle concentrations (as measured by NMR) were not affected. The percent change in LDL cholesterol was positively correlated with baseline lathosterol concentration (r = 0.729; P = 0.0014), indicating an association between the magnitude of LDL change and the rate of whole-body cholesterol synthesis. Serum campesterol (but not sitosterol) concentration significantly increased in the PS ester group. Serum tocopherol, retinol, and β-carotene concentrations were not affected by PS ester supplementation. Thus, our findings demonstrate the usefulness of a novel stearate-enriched PS ester compound in decreasing LDL cholesterol in both normo- and hypercholesterolemic adults. The extent to which PS ester fatty acid composition affects intestinal micelle formation and cholesterol absorption in humans requires further study.

Tocopherol isomer pattern in serum and stool of human following consumption of black currant seed press residue administered in whole grain bread

Serum gamma-tocopherol is thought to be associated with human health. The dietary influence of tocopherol and fibre-rich black currant seed press residue on serum and stool tocopherol concentration was investigated in a controlled human intervention study. Thirty-six women consumed bread enriched with black currant press residue (4 weeks). The resultant faecal and serum tocopherol concentrations were compared with those after a period consuming control bread without press residue and a normal baseline diet. Fibre intake and excretion, antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and vitamin C concentrations in serum and urine were also determined. Samples were obtained with a 5-day standardised diet at the end of each period. The press residue bread lead to significantly increased beta-, gamma-, delta- and total tocopherol intake, serum alpha-, beta-, gamma- and total tocopherol concentration (with and without lipid adjustment), fibre intake and urinary vitamin C concentration compared to control bread (P<0.05). Faecal excretion of total tocopherols and fibre increased compared to baseline (P<0.05). Fibre intake and excretion influence total tocopherol concentration in lipid-adjusted serum and in stool. The outstandingly high increase of serum gamma-tocopherol concentration through seed press residue consumption could be due to a presumed interruption of the enzymatic tocopherol degradation mechanism by bread constituents.

Alpha and gamma tocopherol metabolism in healthy subjects and patients with end-stage renal disease

The metabolism of alpha and gamma tocopherol, the major components of vitamin E, have not been studied in uremic patients. The major pathway of tocopherol metabolism is via phytyl side chain oxidation, leaving carboxyethyl-hydroxychromans (CEHC) as metabolites. Alpha and gamma CEHC are water soluble, renally excreted, with known potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. We examined serum alpha and gamma tocopherol and respective CEHC concentrations in 15 healthy subjects and 15 chronic hemodialysis patients. Serum alpha tocopherol levels were similar in hemodialysis patients (12.03 +/- 1.34 microg/mL) and healthy subjects (11.21 +/- 0.20 microg/mL), while serum gamma tocopherol levels were significantly greater in hemodialysis patients (3.17 +/- 0.37 microg/mL) compared to healthy subjects (1.08 +/- 0.06 microg/mL, P < 0.0001). Serum alpha and gamma CEHC levels were tenfold and sixfold higher in hemodialysis patients compared to healthy subjects, respectively (both P < 0.0001). Serum alpha and gamma tocopherol levels and CEHC metabolites were also measured after supplementation of alpha- or gamma-enriched mixed tocopherols in both hemodialysis patients and healthy subjects. Tocopherol administration resulted in modest or nonsignificant changes in serum tocopherol concentrations, while markedly increasing serum CEHC concentrations in both healthy subjects and hemodialysis patients. Hemodialysis resulted in no change in the serum alpha or gamma tocopherol concentrations while decreasing serum alpha CEHC and gamma CEHC levels by 63% and 53%, respectively (both P = 0.001 versus predialysis). Fourteen-day administration of gamma-enriched but not alpha tocopherols lowered median C-reactive protein (CRP) significantly in hemodialysis patients (4.4 to 2.1 mg/L, P < 0.02). First, serum alpha and gamma CEHC accumulate in uremic patients compared to healthy subjects; second, supplementation with tocopherols dramatically increases serum CEHC levels in both healthy subjects and hemodialysis patients; and, finally, CEHC accumulation may mediate anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of tocopherols in hemodialysis patients.

A vitamin E concentrate rich in tocotrienols had no effect on serum lipids, lipoproteins, or platelet function in men with mildly elevated serum lipid concentrations

Tocotrienols, lipid-soluble antioxidants with vitamin E activity, have been reported to lower LDL-cholesterol concentrations and platelet aggregation in men, but results are contradictory. To examine in detail the effects of a vitamin E concentrate rich in tocotrienols on serum lipoproteins and on platelet function in men at risk for cardiovascular disease. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial, 20 men received daily for 6 wk 4 capsules, each containing 35 mg tocotrienols and 20 mg alpha-tocopherol; 20 other men received 4 capsules daily, each providing 20 mg alpha-tocopherol. All men had concentrations of serum total cholesterol between 6.5 and 8.0 mmol/L or lipoprotein(a) concentrations > 150 mg/L. Compliance was confirmed by changes in serum tocopherol and tocotrienol concentrations. Serum LDL cholesterol in the tocotrienol group was 4.80 mmol/L before and 4.79 mmol/L after intervention, and increased from 4.70 to 4.86 mmol/L in the placebo group (95% CI for the difference: -0.54, 0.19 mmol/L; P = 0.333). Also, changes in HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, lipoprotein(a), and lipid peroxide concentrations did not differ between the groups. After adjustment for differences in initial values, no effects were found on collagen-induced platelet aggregation velocity, maximum aggregation, or thromboxane B2 formation in citrated whole blood. ATP release, however, was lower in the tocotrienol group. Urinary thromboxane B2 and 11-keto-thromboxane B2 concentrations and coagulation and fibrinolytic measures did not change. The tocotrienol supplements used had no marked favorable effects on the serum lipoprotein profile or on platelet function in men with slightly elevated lipid concentrations.

Gamma, but not alpha, tocopherol levels in serum are reduced in coronary heart disease patients.

Low concentrations of alpha tocopherol are claimed to be associated with an increased prevalence of coronary heart disease. This study was undertaken to see whether measurements of serum tocopherol concentrations can contribute to discrimination between subjects with and without coronary heart disease. All patients had been referred to the department of cardiology of the University Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden. Male patients (n = 69) below 60 years of age with coronary heart disease (CHD) and healthy age-matched reference subjects (n = 138) were compared. Lipid-corrected alpha tocopherol concentrations did not differ significantly between the groups, but the CHD group had a lower mean concentration of gamma tocopherol and a higher alpha/gamma ratio. In a stepwise logistic regression analysis, the LDL/HDL ratio was the best independent discriminator between the groups, followed by the proportion of palmitic acid in the cholesterol esters and the alpha/gamma tocopherol ratio. The lower gamma tocopherol concentration and the high ratio between alpha and gamma tocopherol in the CHD group indicate a difference in antioxidative status between CHD patients and healthy subjects. The lipid-lowering treatment of these CHD patients is far from optimal.

Assessment of vitamin E nutritional status in yearling beef heifers.

Effects of four dietary levels of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (0, 500, 1,500, and 3,000 IU.animal-1.d-1) on serum, red blood cell (RBC), and tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations were investigated in 32 yearling cattle during an 84-d trial. Supplemental vitamin E was fed for 28 d, withdrawn for 28 d, and then resumed for another 28 d. Blood was collected on d 1 before treatment administration, d 3, and biweekly thereafter. Serum alpha-tocopherol increased rapidly from pretreatment values (1.8 micrograms/mL) with linear (P < .05) treatment effects on d 3 and 14 and cubic treatment effects on d 28. Upon withdrawal of vitamin E supplementation, serum tocopherol concentrations declined and again increased rapidly and linearly by d 84 after supplementation was resumed. Concentration of alpha-tocopherol in RBC did not respond appreciably to supplemental vitamin E. There were no vitamin E treatment effects on blood lipid fractions (cholesterol and triglycerides). When serum tocopherol was expressed relative to the sum of cholesterol and triglycerides, response to vitamin E intake followed similar trends as serum alpha-tocopherol. The relationship between serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations or serum tocopherol:cholesterol plus triglycerides ratio and vitamin E intake was linear (P < .05) for d 14, 28, and 84 and linear with liver for d 84. Serum and liver tocopherol reflected vitamin E intake and can be used reliably to estimate vitamin E status in young cattle.

Assessment of vitamin E nutritional status in sheep.

The effects of supplemental dietary vitamin E (as DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate; 0, 15, 30, and 60 IU/d) on serum, platelet, and muscle tocopherol and lipid (cholesterol and triglycerides) concentrations in 32 sheep were investigated in a 60-d trial. Serum, platelet, and muscle alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased linearly (P < .05) with treatment. Platelet tocopherol concentrations were more sensitive to vitamin E intake than either serum or muscle tocopherol. There were no effects on serum lipid concentrations. There were low correlations (P > .05) between serum or platelet tocopherol and either cholesterol or triglycerides or the sum of the two lipid fractions. Correlations between serum or platelet tocopherol and muscle tocopherol were also low (P > .05). Although platelet tocopherol was more sensitive to vitamin E intake than serum tocopherol, serum tocopherol concentrations can be reliably used to estimate vitamin E status. Expressing serum tocopherol relative to blood lipids did not improve the relationship between serum tocopherol and vitamin E intake.

Pre- and postpartum supplemental DL-α-tocopheryl acetate effects on placental and mammary vitamin E transfer in sheep

Twenty-six pregnant ewe lambs were used to study the effect of four treatment (T 1 to 4) levels of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (0, 15, 30, and 60 IU.lamb-1.d-1) supplemented 28 d prepartum through 28 d postpartum on placental and mammary gland transfer of alpha-tocopherol. Blood samples were first obtained on d 28 prepartum and thereafter with milk samples at designated intervals up to 28 d postpartum for alpha-tocopherol analyses. Similarly, blood samples were obtained from neonatal lambs on d 1 before suckling and on d 3, 14, and 28 postpartum. Ewe lamb serum tocopherol concentrations averaged .66 micrograms/mL before T administration; 28 d later averages were .93, 1.94, 2.63, and 4.07 micrograms/mL (linear, P < .05) for T 1 to 4, respectively. Supplemental vitamin E had no effect (P > .05) on serum alpha-tocopherol of neonatal lambs, indicating inefficient placental transfer. By d 3, lamb serum tocopherol increased to 1.41, 1.84, 2.43, and 4.46 micrograms/mL (linear, P < .05) for T 1 to 4 following consumption of colostrum and declined to .46, .74, 1.10, and 1.68 micrograms/mL (linear, P < .05) by d 28. On d 1 there was a linear (P < .05) treatment effect on tocopherol in colostrum, with a low concentration of 3.30 micrograms/mL for the control (T 1) and a high of 9.55 micrograms/mL for T 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of vitamin E on aflatoxicosis in growing swine

Summary Effects of dietary aflatoxin (af) and supplemental Vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol) were evaluated in growing crossbred pigs. Nine barrows (3 replicates of 3 each, mean body weight, 14.0 kg) per group were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups (for a total of 36 barrows): 0 IU of supplemental vitamin E and 0 mg of af/kg of feed (control); 2,400 IU of vitamin E divided into equal doses and administered im on days 1 and 16; 2.5 mg of af/kg of feed; or 2.5 mg of af/kg of feed plus 2,400 IU of vitamin E administered similarly to treatment 2. Barrows were administered their respective treatment for 32 days. Evaluations were made for group production performance and for serum biochemical, immunologic, hematologic, pathologic, serum and tissue tocopherol, and serum retinol variables. Body weight was reduced by af-alone and af plus vitamin E treatments, compared with control and vitamin E-alone treatments. Liver weight was increased for the af alone-treated and the af plus vitamin E-treated barrows, compared with control barrows. The af alone-treated barrows had alterations in:serum values of alkaline phosphatase, γglutamyltransferase, albumin, glucose, phosphorus, calcium, cholesterol, total iron, unsaturated iron-binding capacity, total iron-binding capacity, and urea nitrogen; RBC numbers, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and prothrombin time; and mitogen-induced lymphoblastogenic responses. With the exception of some slight ameliorating effects on hematologic measurements, supplemental treatment with vitamin E did not prove beneficial against the toxicosis-associated af treatment. The af alone-treated barrows had decreased serum tocopherol and retinol concentrations, compared with control and pretest values, and decreased tocopherol concentration in cardiac tissue. High parenterally administered doses of vitamin E did not have sparing effect on af-induced reductions of serum tocopherol or retinol concentration; however, compared with pretest values, serum tocopherol concentration was increased by vitamin E-alone treatment. Tocopherol concentration in cardiac tissue of the af plus vitamin E-treated barrows was increased over that of the af alone-treated barrows, indicating an ameliorating effect on af-induced tissue concentrations reductions. These data indicate that vitamin E may not have a sparing effect on af-induced toxicosis and that af may reduce serum retinol and serum and tissue tocopherol concentrations.

Serum and tissue tocopherol in sheep after intramuscular injection and(or) dietary vitamin E supplementation

In a 28-d trial, 35 wethers weighing 35 to 60 kg were used to evaluate serum, liver, pancreas, kidney, diaphragm, heart, and neck muscle alpha-tocopherol concentrations after vitamin E administration as i.m. injections and(or) oral supplementation. Treatments (T) were as follows: 1) i.m. DL-alpha-tocopherol(DL-alpha-ol) d 1, 2) i.m. DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate(DL-alpha-ac) d 1, 3) i.m. DL-alpha-ol d 1, 7, 14, and 21, 4) T 1 and oral supplementation, 5) T 3 and oral supplementation, 6) oral supplementation, and 7) control, no E supplementation. Supplemented wethers received 500 IU via injection and(or) 30 IU/kg of diet (acetate form). In a second 10-d trial, blood was periodically collected from 20 wethers weighing 32 to 47 kg that had been assigned to T as follows: 1) control, 2) i.m. DL-alpha-ol d 1, 3) i.m. DL-alpha-ac d 1, 4) T 2 d 1 and 7, and 5) T 3 d 1 and 7. Results from repeated measures ANOVA in both trials indicated that there were day x T effects (P < .0001) on serum alpha-tocopherol. Pretreatment serum tocopherol concentrations were .58 and .66 microgram/mL for Trials 1 and 2, respectively. In Trial 1, wethers receiving the four alcohol vitamin E forms showed a rapid increase in serum tocopherol between d 1 and 3, followed by a rapid decline to pretreatment concentrations for T 1, whereas T 3, 4, and 5 maintained higher than pretreatment concentrations after the decline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of vitamin E and selenium on immune responses of peripheral blood, colostrum, and milk leukocytes of sows.

This study was designed to assess how dietary vitamin E (E) and (or) selenium (Se) concentrations affect immune responses of gestating and peripartum sows. Multiparous sows (24), assigned to one of four groups at breeding, were fed ensiled, shelled corn-soybean meal-based diets without supplemental E or Se (-E-Se), with .3 mg of Se/kg (-E+Se), with 60 IU of E/kg (+E-Se), or with both supplemental E and Se (+E+Se) during gestation and to d 4 of lactation. Blood was obtained on 0, 30, 60, and 90 d of gestation and at parturition for serum E and Se assays. Lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) were isolated from the blood, colostrum, and 4-d milk samples for immune studies. Compared with the control (+E+Se) diet, the -E-Se diet reduced (P < .05) the serum tocopherol and Se concentrations, the mitogenic responses of lymphocytes of peripheral blood (PBL) and colostrum (CL), the phagocytic activity of blood and colostral PMN, and the microbicidal activity of blood, colostral, and milk PMN. The -E+Se diet reduced (P < .05) the serum tocopherol concentrations, the mitogenic responses of PBL and CL, and the phagocytic activity of PBL. The +E-Se diet reduced (P < .05) serum Se concentrations and the phagocytic activity of PMN. The data indicated that E restriction depressed PBL and PMN immune functions, whereas Se restriction depressed mainly PMN function.

Lower tocopherol serum levels in subjects with abdominal adiposity

Peroxidation of lipoproteins may be of critical importance in the development of atherosclerosis. Tocopherol is considered to be the most effective lipid-soluble antioxidant. The main aim of this study was to measure the serum tocopherol concentrations in a Swedish reference population and to relate them to family history, lifestyle and serum lipoprotein composition. A health survey of risk factors for coronary heart disease was carried out among the employees of a Swedish company. Ninety per cent (906) of the employees participated. Mean alpha, beta and gamma tocopherol levels corrected for lipids were 1.57 (SD 0.24), 0.04 (SD 0.01) and 0.20 (SD 0.07) microgram ml-1, respectively. Alpha tocopherol levels were slightly higher in women than in men, but there was no difference between different ages. Smokers had a lower alpha tocopherol level than non-smokers (1.54 and 1.59 micrograms ml-1; P = 0.03) and persons with low physical activity had a lower level than those with high activity (1.53 and 1.62 micrograms ml-1, respectively; P = 0.0002). Alpha tocopherol concentration was inversely correlated to abdominal sagittal diameter (r = -0.24, P = 0.0001). The average tocopherol concentrations in this Swedish population were higher than in countries with a high incidence of coronary heart disease but similar to those in countries with a similar, intermediate incidence. The inverse correlation to abdominal adiposity may partly explain why this adiposity is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Effects of Vitamin E-Enriched Egg Yolk on Lipid Peroxidation, Hemolysis and Serum Lipid Concentration in Young and Old Rats.

Effects of a diet containing different amount of vitamin E-enriched egg yolk powder on lipid peroxidation, hemolysis, and serum lipid concentration were examined in young and old rats. Young and old rats were fed experimental diets containing 5.6% or 22.5% of normal egg yolk powder, and 5.6% or 22.5% of vitamin E-enriched egg yolk powder. When young rats were fed these diets, their tocopherol concentrations in testes, heart, kidneys, and retroperitoneum fat pads increased according to the diet tocopherol contents. Lipid peroxide levels in these tissues were inversely proportional to the tocopherol concentrations. The liver and serum, however, did not show the above relationship. In the rats fed vitamin E-enriched egg yolk diets hemolysis did not increase, in contrast to those fed normal egg yolk diets. The rats fed a 5.6% vitamin E-enriched egg yolk diet had a lower serum cholesterol level than those fed a normal egg yolk diet. In old rats, one control group was used to determine initial tocopherol concentration and two other groups were fed 5.6% normal and vitamin E-enriched egg yolk diets. The vitamin E-enriched egg yolk rats showed lower weights of the body, liver, and retroperitoneum fat pads at the end of the experiment. The normal egg yolk group had atrophied testes. The tissue and serum tocopherol concentrations were increased in the vitamin E-enriched egg yolk group, whereas they were decreased in the normal egg yolk group. In the vitamin E-enriched egg yolk group, lipid peroxide, hemolysis and serum cholesterol, especially HDL-cholesterol, did not increase. These results indicate that egg yolk tocopherol was absorbed and prevented lipid peroxidation and hemolysis in young and old rats, and testes atrophy in old rats.

Serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations in preterm infants receiving less than 25 mg/kg/day alpha-tocopherol acetate supplements.

Alpha-tocopherol (aT) concentrations were determined in 52 preterm infants receiving less than 25 mg/kg/day alpha-tocopherol acetate (aTA) supplements through intravenous hyperalimentation solutions, lipid, and oral aTA. One fourth of the study infants had aT concentrations greater than 3.5 mg/dl at least once, and an association between concentrations greater than 3.5 mg/dl and necrotizing enterocolitis was demonstrated. In contrast, another one fourth of the infants' concentrations remained less than 0.5 mg/dl through the first postnatal week. The highly variable serum tocopherol concentrations correlated with total serum lipid content but not with plasma aTA hydrolysis activity.

EFFECT OF VITAMIN E DEFICIENCY ON PULMONARY OXYGEN TOXICITY

Adult female white mice were divided into two groups. One was fed a diet deficient in vitamin E (E-) and the other (E+) was fed the same mixture with D-a-tocopherol added (100 mg/kg chow). The following were evaluated: serum tocopherol concentrations, lung weight and sodium content, and the survival time of the animals in oxygen. Mean serum tocopherol concentrations were 2.1 ug/ml and 14.5 ug/ml (p<.005). Lung wet weight, sodium content and water content increased with time in 65% and 100% oxygen. E- mice had more sodium retention/gin lung than E+ mice (p<.05). Survival: Electron microscope studies of lungs that were fixed with glutaraldehyde at 20 cmH2O pressure showed vitamin E related differences. Oxygen (65% x 3-6 days) caused disruption of pulmonary capillary endothelial junctions and of the structure of the mitochondrial cristae in E- mice but not in E+ mice. Edema and fibrin deposition were greater in the E- group. These changes were not observed in animals kept in room air. These results indicate that vitamin E deficiency enhances the toxic effects of oxygen in mice.