An experiment was conducted to compare the bioavailability of dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate (TA) with that of dl-alpha-tocopherol nicotinate (TN) when administered to sheep, as a single dose, either into the rumen or the peritoneal cavity. A total of 16 sheep were used in a factorial design, with 4 sheep/treatment at the interaction level. In addition, 5 sheep that received no supplemental alpha-tocopherol, were euthanatized at the end of the trial to provide baseline data for tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Curves were fitted to the plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration values, taken over 180 hours after administration of the esters. Availability of TA was greater than TN, as evidenced by the significantly higher curve parameter values (P < 0.05) and tissue concentrations (P < 0.05). Route of administration had a marked effect on availability of TA (P < 0.001), but not of TN.

Epidemiologic relations were evaluated between plasma concentrations of nutrients and cardiovascular diseases. A total of 220 cats were assessed: 144 cats with noninduced acquired heart disease and 76 clinically normal cats. Plasma was assayed for taurine, alpha-tocopherol, selenium, retinol, and total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations. Cardiovascular disease groups included dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 53), left ventricular hypertrophy (n = 28), hyperthyroidism (n = 11), and uncertain classification (n = 52). In cats with dilated cardiomyopathy, mean plasma taurine concentration was the lowest of that in cats of any group, being only 38% of the value in healthy cats; females had less than half the mean value of males. Tocopherol concentration was 20% lower than normal, and retinol concentration was 40% higher than normal. Total cholesterol concentration was 36% lower than normal. Triglycerides concentration was higher in these cats than in any other group-twice the value recorded in healthy cats and 67% higher than that in hyperthyroid cats. In cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, almost 15% had mean plasma taurine concentration < 30 micromol/L. Retinol concentration was 15% higher, and triglycerides concentration was 54% higher than normal. Approximately 27% of hyperthyroid cats had mildly decreased plasma taurine concentration. Hyperthyroid cats had the lowest tocopherol and cholesterol values; both were at least 30% lower than normal. Retinol concentration was 30% higher than Approximately 14% of cats with uncertain classification had mildly decreased plasma taurine concentration. Plasma retinol and triglycerides concentrations were higher than normal in 25 and 38% of these cats, respectively. Plasma selenium concentration, compared between healthy cats and cats with cardiac disease, was not significantly different. This observation may not be meaningful, however, in light of the limited number of cats in which selenium was assessed.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of vitamin E on the prevention and treatment of Babesia gibsoni. fifteen mongrel dogs, uninfected with Babesia spp, were assigned to three groups according to vitamin E(alpha-tocopherol) concentrations in the RBC. The concentrations in each of the three groups were, respectively : alpha-tocopherol in RBC less than 30 micro gram/micro liter(Group I), 30 micro gram/micro liter-60 micro gram/micro liter(Group II), more than 60 micro gram/micro liter(Group III). Artificial infection was accomplished by injecting 2*10 7-2*10 8 erythrocyte of Babesia gibsoni-infected dog into the cephalic vein. We investigated the clinical sighs, vitamin E concentrations in RBC and serum, Vitamin A concentrations in serum, hematological values, white blood cell(WBC) viability and RBC membrane osmotic fragility after infection of Bavesia gibsoni for a period of 20 days at 5 day intervals. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. After infection by Babesia gibsoni, clinical examination revealed depression, anorexia, pale mucous membranes, dark brown urine and diarrhea in proportion as time went on. After 10 days of infection, one dog each of Groups I, II and III revealed depression and anorexia. Two dogs in Group I and one dog each of Groups II and III showed dark brown urine after 15 days. Diarrhea was observed in one dog in each of the 3 groups after 20 days of infection. 2. After 5 days of infection, two dogs in each of Groups I, II and III showed Babesia gibsoni in RBC of blood smear stained with Giemsa. At the 15th day after infection with Babesia gibsoni, they were observed in all experimental animals. After both 5 days and 10 days of infection, the rate of Babesia gibsoni parasitized RBC(permillage, %) was 1%, and increased as time went on. 3. After 5 days of infection by Babesia gibsoni, Group I, which had the lowest vitamin E concentration, showed significantly decreased RBC and PCV levels(p0.01). Group II and group III also showed significantly decreased RBC and PCV levels after 15 days of infection(p0.05). particularly after 10 days of infection, Group I showed lower values in RBC and PCV levels compared to Groups II and III. WBC, RBC, fibrinogen and total protein levels between the groups did not differ during experimental periods. 4. According to the WBC differential counts, the ratios of neutrophil to lymphocyte showed a tendency to be slightly higher in Group III(more than 60 micro gram/micro liter) than in Groups I and II. 5. WBC viability did not differ between the groups. 6. RBC membrane osmotic fragility did not differ between the groups.