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Influence of dietary vitamin E, selenium and age on regional distribution of α‐tocopherol in the rat brain
Author(s) -
Meydani Mohsen,
Macauley John B.,
Blumberg Jeffrey B.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/bf02535413
Subject(s) - cerebellum , endocrinology , medicine , cerebrum , vitamin , vitamin e , midbrain , glutathione peroxidase , biology , chemistry , central nervous system , biochemistry , antioxidant , oxidative stress , catalase
Concentrations of α‐tocopherol (α‐T) in plasma, cerebrum, cerebellum, midbrain and brain stem and activity of selenium (Se)‐dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in plasma were measured in 1‐ and 15‐month‐old male F344 rats fed diets containing vitamin E (E, IU/kg) and Se (ppm) in the following combinations: 30 E, 0.1 Se (control diet, minimum requirements); 200E, 0.2 Se; 0.0 E, 0.2 Se; 200 E, 0.0 Se; 0.0 E, 0.0 Se for 8 or 20 weeks. α‐T and GSH‐Px levels in plasma were reflective of dietary treatment in young rats in which an interaction of the two nutrients was noted. A longer period of dietary vitamin E deficiency was necessary to deplete plasma α‐T and depress GSP‐Px activity significantly in the old rats. Among the brain regions of all ages, cerebrum and midbrain had the highest concentrations of α‐T while cerebellum showed the lowest. However, cerebellum of young rats and cerebellum and brain stem of old rats had a greater α‐T accumulation with doubly supplemented diets, whereas only cerebellum of young and old rats showed a marked increased of α‐T with vitamin E supplementation. In old rats, vitamin E deficiency resulted in greater depletion of α‐T in cerebellum and brain stem than cerebrum and midbrain regions. Se deficiency in brain stem of young and old rats significantly decreased α‐T accumulation by vitamin E supplementation. Se supplementation marginally alleviates vitamin E depletion in brain. Cerebellum and brain stem of old rats fed the minimum requirements of vitamin E and Se for 20 weeks showed a significant decline in α‐T. Therefore, cerebellum and brain stem appear, to have a higher turnover of α‐T than cerebrum and midbrain, and older rats may require a higher level, of vitamin E in the diet to maintain steady state levels of α‐T in these regions.