Effect of the type of dietary triacylglycerol fatty acids on alpha-tocopherol concentration in plasma and tissues of growing pigs

A study was performed in growing pigs to evaluate the efficacy of alpha-tocopherol (Tol) concentration in plasma, muscle, liver, and adipose tissue following dietary supplementation with vitamin E (VE) and various sources of fat. The trial involved 96 piglets weaned at an average of 28 d of age. Piglets were fed for 2 wk a semipurified diet not supplemented with VE. Piglets were then randomly assigned to 5 isoenergetic semipurified diets with 100 IU/kg VE as dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate: a control (CTRL) diet (with no added fat) and 4 other diets containing either 3% linseed oil (LIN), 3% hydrogenated coconut oil (COC), 3% olive oil (OLI), or 3% safflower oil (SAF) representing diets rich in n-3 PUFA, SFA, MUFA, and n-6 PUFA, respectively. After 49 d of treatment, pigs were killed and blood, muscle (longissimus dorsi), adipose tissue, and whole liver (without gallbladder) were collected and analyzed for their Tol concentrations. For all tissues, LIN and SAF diets led to lower (P < 0.02) Tol concentrations as compared to the CTRL diet: -63 and -67%, respectively. alpha-Tocopherol concentrations in plasma, liver, and adipose tissue were greater (P < 0.001) in the COC group as compared to the CTRL group. The OLI diet led to greater (P < 0.01) liver Tol concentration (+92%) as compared to the CTRL diet but had no significant effect on plasma, muscle, and adipose tissue Tol concentrations. There were significant correlations (P < 0.001) between plasma, muscle, and liver Tol concentrations (r > 0.78). These results show that supplementation with PUFA markedly decreases Tol concentration in blood and tissues of growing pigs, whereas SFA increase Tol content in blood, liver, and adipose tissue. Monounsaturated fatty acids only increase liver Tol concentrations. Therefore, increasing the amount of fat in the diet (from < 0.1 to approximately 3.5%) and the type of dietary fatty acids supplemented with VE are key factors with regards to VE concentration in plasma and tissue. The Tol: PUFA needs to be carefully considered to meet the VE pigs requirement and to ensure an optimal Tol meat enrichment.