The effect of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) supplementation on hepatic levels of vitamin A and E in ethanol and cod liver oil fed rats
Odeleye, O.E.; Eskelson, C.D.; Alak, J.I.; Watson, R.R.; Chvapil, M.; Mufti, S.I.; Earnest, D.
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition 61(2): 143-148
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9831 PMID: 1917351 Document Number: 373989
Eight groups of 5 rats were fed 8 differing liquid diets with and without ethanol, cod liver oil and/or increased levels of vitamin E. Hepatic levels of vitamins A and E were determined following the 28-day feeding time. Ethanol consumption decreased the levels of hepatic vitamin E (p less than 0.05), vitamin A (p less than 0.05) and the ratio of vitamin A/E (p less than 0.05). Hepatic levels of vitamins A and E were unaffected in rats fed cod liver oil. Supplementation of the normal dietary level of 30 IU of vitamin E per kg diet, with an additional 142 IU alpha tocopherol/kg diet, restored hepatic concentrations of vitamin E to normal levels in alcohol-fed rats. The hepatic levels of vitamin A in rats fed ethanol diets supplemented with vitamin E were less than that of control rats but were 4.3 times greater than that of rats on ethanol diets unsupplemented with vitamin E. However, the vitamin A and E ratio was equal to normal in this group of rats. The vitamin A/E ratio was reduced in liver of rats fed non-alcoholic diets supplemented with vitamin E due to increased levels of hepatic vitamin E. Additionally, rats fed cod liver oil diets containing ethanol also indicated decreased hepatic vitamin A and E levels. However, these levels were greater than that of rats fed only alcoholic diets suggesting that these vitamins are replaced by the vitamin A and E content in the cod liver oil.