title: Tocopherol isomers in intravenous lipid emulsions and resultant plasma concentrations.
abstract: Conflicting reports exist regarding the relative tocopherol isomer content of Intralipid ranging from 99% as alpha-tocopherol to as much as 90% as gamma-tocopherol. Our direct assay of Intralipid as well as plasma levels measured in premature infants receiving Intralipid confirm the existence of a low alpha, high gamma-tocopherol content and imply the need for alpha-tocopherol supplementation in patients receiving Intralipid, particularly the relatively tocopherol-deficient premature infant. Furthermore, the observation of abnormal erythrocyte hemolysis test values despite "normal" total tocopherol plasma concentrations may be explained by high plasma levels of non-alpha, biologically less active isomers. The quantitation of tocopherol isomers helps explain this discrepancy and suggests the need for future studies of vitamin E status to employ measurements of tocopherol isomers in reporting results.
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007536:Isomerism; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D024505:Tocopherols; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D014810:Vitamin E; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D024505:Tocopherols