Distribution of vitamin E between tissues during periods of hyperoxid and nutritional stress in the preterm guinea pig
1993
Kelly, F.J. | Cheeseman, K.H.
1. Using a preterm guinea pig model we examined the impact of oxidative and nutritional stress on the vitamin E status of a number of immature tissues. 2. Liver, brain, lung, red blood cell and plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations were measured in fed and fasted, preterm guinea pigs exposed to 21 or 95% oxygen for 48 hr. 3. Exposure to hyperoxia did not influence plasma, red blood cell, lung or brain vitamin E status of preterm pups. Liver alpha-tocopherol content was reduced 20% following 48 hr hyperoxic exposure (P < 0.05). 4. Food restriction (48hr) alone reduced liver (41%) and red blood cell (32%) alpha-tocopherol concentrations in preterm animals while plasma, lung and brain vitamin E levels were unaffected. Combined with hyperoxic exposure, food restriction resulted in a (50%) fall in liver alpha-tocopherol concentration (P < 0.01). 5. The findings of this study suggest that the liver acts as a reservoir for vitamin E in the perinatal period, releasing increased quantities of this lipid soluble antioxidant for use by non-hepatic tissues during periods of hyperoxic and nutrient stress.
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