Interaction between vitamins C and E affects their tissue concentrations, growth, lipid oxidation, and deficiency symptoms in yellow perch (Perca flavescens).
We have conducted studies with juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens) over a period of 20 weeks to address the question of the interaction between water- and lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamins. Fish (2.25+/-0.14 g) were divided into twelve groups, and triplicate groups were fed one of four casein-based, semi-purified diets formulated to contain low or high vitamin E levels of either 5 or 160 mg/kg without or with vitamin C supplementation (250 mg/kg). Diets were designated as -C-E, -C+E, +C-E, or +C+E, respectively. The fish fed the +C+E diet showed significantly higher weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency than the groups fed vitamin C-deficient diets. Total ascorbate concentrations of liver were significantly higher in fish fed vitamin C-supplemented diets than in fish fed the vitamin C-deficient diet after 16 and 20 weeks. The liver alpha-tocopherol concentrations were increased by supplemental vitamin C in vitamin E-deficient dietary groups which indicates a sparing or regenerating effect of vitamin C on vitamin E. Fish fed vitamin C-deficient diets (-C-E and -C+E) exhibited severe deficiency symptoms, such as scoliosis, lens cataracts, anorexia, and haemorrhages. The cumulative mortality was significantly higher in the -C-E groups. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances value was significantly higher in blood plasma of fish fed a diet unsupplemented with both vitamins. The findings in the present study with yellow perch support the hypothesis that vitamin C regenerates and/or spares vitamin E in vivo.
School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Kyeong-Jun
KJ
Lee
Konrad
K
Dabrowski
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001361:Avitaminosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D010471:Perches / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015430:Weight Gain; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000032:analysis
D000975:Antioxidants; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014810:Vitamin E; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid