Distribution of vitamin E between tissues during periods of hyperoxic and nutritional stress in the preterm guinea pig.
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 (48 hr) 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.
Kelly
F J
FJ
Cardiovascular Research, Rayne Institute, St Thomas' Hospital, London, U.K.
Cheeseman
K H
KH
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism*
D014810:Vitamin E; D010100:Oxygen