실험쥐에서 토코페롤 종류간의 생물학적 상호전이에 관한 연구

Studies on the biological interconversion between the tocopherol fractions in rat

Using four generations of wistar rats, feeding experiments were conducted to investigate the possibility of the interconversion between tocopherol fractions and to compare the transformation rates by supplying additional methyl groups such as methione and choline in animal organism. The rats were fed a semisynthetic basal diet, supplemented with 78.8mg DL-??- tocopherol/kg diet as a sole source of vitamin E. Growth and fertility until the fourth generation were normal. d-tocopherol was found in the whole body as well as in all tissues and organs. In the F2-and F3-generation, highest conversion rates were found faeces. In the F4-generation, some of the rats were injected subcutaneous with ??-tocopherol (ca.1.5mg in 70% ethanol). Due to the injection of ??-tocopherol, faeces showed a four times lower transformation rates and vitamin E activity (ug α- tocopherol equivalent). The interconversion rates could be improved also by the additional supplements of methionine and choline as methyl-group donators. The results showed that the animal tissues and organs have each specific requirement for α - tocopherol, and that the animal organism can adapt to ??-tocopherol supply over a long period.