Vitamin E reduction of lipid peroxidation products in rats fed cod liver oil and ethanol

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on ethanol- and cod liver oil-induced lipid peroxidation. Adult male rats received diets containing ethanol, cod liver oil and supplemented with vitamin E for 28 days. Following treatment, hepatic conjugated dienes, lipid fluorescence, and exhalation of ethane were measured as indices of lipid peroxidation. Ethane expiration over a 3-hour period was reduced by 96% in rats fed ethanol supplemented with vitamin E. Exhalation of ethane was increased by CLO feeding but was reduced 89% in the CLO-fed rats supplemented with vitamin E. In addition, ethane production was elevated in rats fed ethanol plus CLO compared to rats fed diets containing CLO supplemented with vitamin E. Supplementation of the CLO diet with vitamin E also significantly decreased hepatic conjugated fatty acid dienes levels. Levels of hepatic conjugated fatty acid dienes from rats fed ethanol plus vitamin E were reduced 91% compared to rats fed ethanol diets. Additionally, hepatic lipid fluorescence expressed as per mg of hepatic phospholipid basis was also significantly increased in rat groups fed vitamin E, ethanol, and cod liver oil diets. Where vitamin E was added to these same diets a significant decrease of hepatic lipid peroxidation products occurred. The observed reduction in lipid peroxidation by vitamin E may be useful to retard lipid peroxides derived materials involved in the development of alcoholic liver diseases.     

Endotoxin and lipid peroxidation in vitro in selenium- and vitamin E-deficient and -adequate rat tissues

The effect of Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin injected intraperitoneally into rats (0.5 mg/kg of body weight) on subsequent lipid peroxidation in vitro was assessed. Peroxidation was monitored by measuring ethane production from tissue slices, as well as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and conjugated dienes in tissue homogenates. Weanling rats were fed a selenium- and vitamin E-deficient basal diet or one supplemented with 0.2 mg of Se/kg of diet and 200 mg of vitamin E/kg. After 9 to 16 wk, ethane production and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in liver and lung generally were increased by LPS treatment of Se- and vitamin E-deficient rats. Conjugated dienes were increased by LPS treatment in liver of Se- and vitamin E-deficient rats, but paradoxically, were higher in Se- and vitamin E-adequate liver tissue. Daily injections of 1 g of hydroxyurea/kg of body weight, a cell proliferation inhibitor, for 2 d prior to LPS injection significantly decreased the LPS-induced ethane production in Se- and vitamin E-deficient rat liver and lung. These results show that low doses of LPS injected into rats stimulated lipid peroxidation in vitro in Se- and vitamin E-deficient rat liver tissue. Hydroxyurea decreased LPS-induced lipid peroxidation in vitro; this suggests that neutrophils or macrophages are involved in LPS-induced lipid peroxidation.     

High dietary iron enhances oxidative stress in liver but does not increase aberrant crypt foci development in rats with low vitamin E status

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of high-iron and low-vitamin E diets on lipid peroxidation and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) development in rats. In a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 45 or 450 mg Fe/kg diet (adequate and high iron, respectively) and 15 or 100 IU vitamin E/kg diet (low and adequate vitamin E, respectively) for three weeks, when they received saline or azoxymethane (15 mg/kg for 2 wk). Diets were continued for an additional six weeks. Serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations in rats fed low-vitamin E diets were decreased to 30% of concentrations observed in rats fed adequate-vitamin E diets (p < 0.0001). Also, serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations tended to be lower in rats supplemented with iron (p < 0.08). Lipid peroxidation in liver was significantly elevated by high-iron diets after 3 and 10 weeks of treatment, but lipid peroxidation in colonic mucosa was not altered by dietary iron or vitamin E. The total number of ACF and number of large ACF (> or = 4 aberrant crypts/focus) were not significantly altered by iron or vitamin E intakes. However, the size distribution of ACF was slightly altered, such that iron-supplemented rats had 12% more ACF with two crypts per focus (p < 0.02) than rats fed adequate-iron diets. Our data suggest that high-iron diets enhanced oxidative stress in liver, but not colon, of rats fed low-vitamin E diets. Furthermore, a high-iron diet does not increase the total number of ACF, even when vitamin E status is low.     

Endotoxin and lipid peroxidation in vivo in selenium- and vitamin E-deficient and -adequate rats

The effect of Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin injected intraperitoneally (0.5 mg/kg body weight) on lipid peroxidation in vivo was assessed. Peroxidation was monitored by measuring ethane production, an autoxidation product of (n-3) unsaturated fatty acids. Weanling rats were fed a selenium- and vitamin E-deficient basal diet or one supplemented with 0.2 mg Se/kg and/or 200 mg vitamin E/kg. After 11 to 13 wk of feeding, ethane production was tripled in LPS-treated Se- and vitamin E-deficient rats compared to saline-treated deficient rats. In both doubly deficient and adequate rats, LPS increased ethane production, but it did so to a greater extent in Se- and vitamin E-deficient rats. Dietary Se or vitamin E supplementation alone significantly reduced ethane production from LPS-treated rats. Vitamin E was more protective than Se against LPS-induced lipid peroxidation. Escherichia coli and Salmonella minnesota LPS also increased ethane production in Se- and vitamin E-deficient rats. These results show that low doses of LPS stimulate lipid peroxidation in vivo in Se- and vitamin E-deficient rats.     

每日或间歇性大剂量补充硫酸亚铁对大鼠铁营养状况和抗氧化功能的影响

目的:比较不同方式补充硫酸亚铁对大鼠铁营养状况和抗氧化功能的影响。方法:刚断乳的雌性Wistar大鼠,用铁缺乏饲料喂养至血红蛋白(Hb)低于100g/L。按Hb含量和体重随机分为五组,分别为铁缺乏对照组(ID)、每日小剂量补铁组(LDs)、每周一次小剂量补铁组(LWs)、每日大剂量补铁组(HDs)、每周一次大剂量补铁组(HWs),每组10只大鼠。补充期12w。实验结束时,测定大鼠血清铁(SI)、血清铁蛋白(SF)及血清和肝组织匀浆丙二醛(MDA)等含量。结果:各补充组大鼠SI、SF、运铁蛋白饱和度(TS)、肝脏及脾脏铁含量均显著高于对照组,而总铁结合力(TIBC)则显著低于对照组。HDs组和HWs组大鼠SI、TS、SF显著高于LDs、LWs,TIBC显著低于LDs和LWs组(P<0.05)。HDs或HWs组血清和肝脏MDA含量显著高于对照组,LWs组血清MDA含量显著高于对照组,LDs组肝脏MDA含量也显著高于对照组(P<0.05),HDs和HWs组血清和肝脏MDA含量均显著高于LDs、LWs组。结论:每日大剂量补充或每周一次大剂量补充硫酸亚铁3个月,有导致铁过量以及机体脂质过氧化增强的危险。     

Dietary supplements of vitamin E, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10 and selenium protect tissues against lipid peroxidation in rat tissue slices

A tissue slice model was employed to assess the effects of dietary antioxidant supplements on lipid peroxidation. In one experiment, rats were fed diets containing, either alone or in combination, vitamin E, selenium, beta-carotene or coenzyme Q10 for 42 d, and the extent of spontaneous and induced lipid peroxidation was determined by release of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) into the medium. Vitamin E exhibited the greatest protection against lipid peroxidation in liver, heart and spleen; in kidney, selenium was most protective. Coenzyme Q10 was active against lipid peroxidation induced by tertbutyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). In a second experiment, rats were fed diets containing varying amounts of vitamin E, selenium, beta-carotene and coenzyme Q10 for 30 d. Spontaneous lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney and heart decreased with increasing levels of dietary antioxidants. With increasing amounts of antioxidants, there was a diminution in TBARS released by liver and kidney slices incubated with t-BHP; in heart, only the highest levels of antioxidants significantly decreased production of TBARS. Inverse correlations between dietary vitamin E and TBARS, tissue vitamin E and TBARS, and tissue selenium-glutathione peroxidase and TBARS were highly significant. The procedure used here can evaluate dietary supplements that may find practical applications in decreasing the oxidant radical portion of disease processes.     

维生素A水平对孕期大鼠脂质过氧化及抗氧化系统的影响

目的研究维生素A(VA)水平对孕期大鼠脂质过氧化及抗氧化系统的影响.方法健康雌性受孕SD大鼠24只,按体重随机分为A(VA缺乏组),B(正常对照组),C(VA5倍剂量组),D(VA15倍剂量组)四组.每组6只,饲以实验合成饲料,实验期为合笼前两周至孕期第19天.观察指标有血清和肝脏中VA含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性.结果D组大鼠血清和肝脏中SDD活性明显下降(P＜0.05),MDA含量显著升高(P＜0.05).结论大剂量的VA摄人可使孕期大鼠SOD活性下降,脂质过氧化反应明显增强.而VA轻度及5倍过量似对孕期大鼠脂质过氧化无影响.     

硒强化沙棘果汁对大鼠机体脂质过氧化作用的影响

成年Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠用含硒强化沙棘果汁、沙棘果汁及维生素Ｃ的半纯化饲料喂养１２周后，测定其血清、肝脏和红细胞膜丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）含量，全血及肝脏谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ）活性及全血超氧化物岐化酶（ＳＯＤ）活性的变化。结果表明：大鼠血清、肝脏及红细胞膜ＭＤＡ含量在各实验组均远远低于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。而各实验组ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ和ＳＯＤ活性均显著高于对照组。结果说明，沙棘果汁可显著降低大鼠机体内脂质过氧化反应，增强机体抵抗过氧化损伤的能力，这种作用在经硒强化后尤为显著。     

Relationship between tissue lipid peroxidation and peroxidizability index after alpha-linolenic,eicosapentaenoic, or docosahexaenoic acid intake in rats

In a previous study, we found that the extent of dietary n-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-stimulated tissue lipid peroxidation was less than expected from the relative peroxidizability index of the total tissue lipids in rats with adequate vitamin E nutritional status. This suppression of lipid peroxidation was especially prominent in the liver. To elucidate whether this phenomenon was unique to DHA, we compared the peroxidation effects of n-3 alpha-linolenic acid (alpha-LN) and n-3 eicosapentaeonic acid (EPA) with those of DHA in rats. Either alpha-LN (8.6 % of total energy), EPA (8.2 %), or DHA (8.0 %) and one of two levels of dietary vitamin E (7.5 and 54 mg/kg diet) were fed to rats for 22 d. Levels of conjugated diene, chemiluminescence emission and thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substance in the liver, kidney, and testis were determined as indicators of lipid peroxidation. In rats fed the DHA diet deficient in vitamin E (7.5 mg/kg diet), TBA values in the liver, kidney, and testis correlated well with the tissues' relative peroxidizability indices. In rats fed the alpha-LN diet with an adequate level of vitamin E (54 mg/kg diet), a close association between relative peroxidizability indices and lipid peroxide levels was observed in all the tissues analysed. However, in rats fed either the EPA diet or the DHA diet with an adequate level of vitamin E, the extent of lipid peroxidation in each tissue was less than expected from the relative peroxidizability index. This suppression was particularly marked in the liver. We concluded that suppression of lipid peroxidation below the relative peroxidizability index was not unique to DHA, but was also seen with EPA, which has five double bonds, in rats with adequate vitamin E nutritional status, but not with alpha-LN, which has three double bonds.     

Caffeic acid inhibits oxidative Stress and reduces hypercholesterolemia induced by iron overload in rats

The effects of caffeic acid, a major phenolic compound of the diet, on oxidative stress and cholesterolemia are studied in rats submitted to oxidative stress by iron overload. Male Wistar rats were fed semi-synthetic diets containing regular (50 mg/kg diet) or high (2000 mg/kg) doses of iron with and without caffeic acid (6460 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The high doses of iron induced an increase of lipid oxidation in the liver, as measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and an increase of cholesterolemia. Caffeic acid fully prevented the pro-oxidant effects of high iron doses (p < 0.001). It also reduced lipid peroxidation in rats fed the low iron dose (p < 0.05). Caffeic acid also increased vitamin E levels in plasma (2.74 micromol/L to 4.09 micromol/L for normal diet; p < 0.001; 2.78 micromol/L to 4.94 micromol/L for iron supplemented diet p < 0.001). Iron-induced hypercholesterolemia was inhibited by caffeic acid (1.07 g/L to 0.82 g/L; p < 0.001). These results demonstrate the antioxidative capacity of caffeic acid, a highly bioavailable polyphenol, in an in vivo model of oxidative stress.     

铁和乙醇对大鼠肝脏组织脂质过氧化反应的影响

在饲料中添加羰基铁喂养大鼠,形成肝脏内铁含量没的铁过载动物模型,体外研究肝组织内不同的铁含量对乙醇诱导肝组织气体操作折影响,探讨乙醇和铁在诱导肝组织损伤过程中的交互作用。结果显示：饲料中添加铁中明显啬铁在肝脏内的蓄积,肝脏内铁含量随喂养时间而增加,与对照组比较差异有非常显著意义（Ｐ〈０．０１）。肝脏内不同的铁含量均可明显增加乙醇诱导的肝组织脂南过氧化反应。分别与单纯乙醇和相应原单纯铁过载组比较,铁     

食物脂肪对大鼠脑、肝、肾组织中脂质过氧化作用的影响

目的探讨高不饱和脂肪酸食物对实验动物脑、肝、肾组织中脂质过氧化作用的影响及其组织特异性。方法采用美国国家毒理研究中心(NCTR)繁殖的雌性F344大鼠75只,用含3%,5%,10%,15%和20%玉米油的饲料分别喂养2、10和20周。定量分析不同剂量组及喂养时间F344大鼠脑、肝、肾组织中丙二醛(MDA)的浓度。结果用含3%和5%玉米油饲料喂养的大鼠组织中MDA含量明显高于高脂肪喂养组(P<0.05),而20周喂养组大鼠组织中MDA含量明显低于2周和(或)10周喂养组(P<0.05)。脑组织中MDA含量明显高于肝、肾组织(P<0.05)。脑组织在喂养2周时,肝、肾组织在喂养10周时MDA含量最高。结论不同组织中MDA变化在时间窗口中也显示出组织特异性,脑组织似乎更容易受到脂质过氧化作用的损害。食物脂肪对体内脂质过氧化作用的影响具有组织特异性。     

The effect of iron and zinc supplementation and its discontinuation on liver antioxidant status in rats fed deficient diets

Purpose

The aim was to investigate the effect of iron or combined iron/zinc supplementation on rat liver antioxidant status.

Methods

The 6-week male Wistar rats were examined in 3 stages: (1) 4-week adaptation to the diets (C—control AIN-93M diet, D—iron deficient and R—with 50 % reduction in all vitamin and mineral amounts); (2) 4-week supplementation with the same regimen enriched with tenfold more iron or iron/zinc; (3) 2-week post-supplementation period (the same diets as in the stage I).

Results

Combined iron/zinc supplementation similarly to iron supplementation alone significantly (p values ≤ 0.05) increased the iron content in the liver in D and R rats after stages II and III. Moreover, iron/zinc supplementation compared to iron supplementation alone significantly decreased the liver concentration of 8-isoprostane (after stage II in D and after stage III in R rats), protein carbonyl groups (only after stage III in R rats) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (after stage II in R and after stage III in D and R rats). In rats fed R-type of diets after stage II hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, but not glutathione peroxidation activity and total antioxidant capacity, was lower in iron and iron/zinc supplemented than in non-supplemented rats, whereas after stage III in iron/zinc supplemented SOD was lower and CAT activity was higher in comparison with non-supplemented and iron supplemented rats.

Conclusions

The simultaneous iron/zinc supplementation can protect liver against peroxidative damage induced by high doses of iron during and after the intervention in rats fed iron-deficient diet and diet with reduced amounts of vitamins and minerals. The post-intervention observation is relevant because the effect may be delayed and visible only after this period.     

Carrageenan-induced granuloma and iron status in rats with dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency

Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 4 months on a control diet or a polyunsaturated-fatty-acid (PUFA)-deficient diet. The combined effects of iron overload (Fe dextran) or Fe deficiency (desferrioxamine) on carrageenan-induced granuloma were studied. PUFA deficiency induced changes in Fe metabolism, but no alterations in lipid peroxidation variables were observed. Inflammation implied an increase in lipid peroxidation, Fe storage and caeruloplasmin concentration, together with symptoms of anaemia. PUFA deficiency in inflamed rats gave rise to a lower inflammatory response (granuloma weight and prostaglandin E2 concentration) and ethane exhalation. Fe overload potentiated inflammatory and lipid peroxidation processes, whereas Fe deficiency decreased them.     

Effect of dietary lipids and vitamin E on in vitro lipid peroxidation in rat liver and kidney homogenates

Rats were fed for 5 wk 10% (wt/wt) menhaden oil (MO) or a 10% corn oil-lard (COL) mixture (1:1) in diets with a low vitamin E content (less than or equal to 5 mg/kg) or supplemented with d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate to a total of 30 or 150 mg per kg. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD), hexanal and total volatiles (TOV) were measured in tissue homogenates incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 h in the absence (uninduced) and presence of 15 microM ferrous sulfate (induced). The fatty acid composition of liver and kidney reflected that of dietary lipids. For uninduced peroxidation, there was in general a significant inverse correlation of TBARS, CD and TOV with the log of dietary vitamin E content for liver and kidney from rats fed either lipid. For induced peroxidation, the inverse correlation was significant for liver, but not for kidney, from rats fed either lipid. The correlation was generally higher for liver and kidney from rats fed COL than for tissues from rats fed MO. Vitamin E was thus a more effective antioxidant for liver than for kidney regardless of the dietary lipid, and for liver and kidney from rats fed COL than from rats fed MO. Dietary MO enhanced tissue susceptibility to both peroxidation systems. A simulation model developed to mimic the experiments showed good correlations between experimental data and simulated values.     

Ascorbic acid does not increase the oxidative stress induced by dietary iron in C3H mice

Iron is a potent prooxidant that can induce lipid peroxidation. Ascorbic acid, a potent antioxidant, has prooxidant effects in the presence of iron in vitro. We investigated whether ascorbic acid and iron co-supplementation in ascorbic acid-sufficient mice increases hepatic oxidative stress. C3H/He mice were fed diets supplemented with iron to 100 mg/kg diet or 300 mg/kg diet with or without ascorbic acid (15 g/kg diet) for 3 wk. Liver iron concentration, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were measured. High dietary iron increased liver iron concentrations slightly (P < 0.05), whereas it dramatically increased hepatic MDA (P < 0.0001). Ascorbic acid increased MDA but only in mice fed the low-iron diet (P < 0.05). The high-iron diet reduced GPx (P < 0.0001), CAT (P < 0.0005), SOD (P < 0.05), and GST (P < 0.005) activities regardless of ascorbic acid supplementation. In contrast, ascorbic acid reduced GPx (P < 0.0001) and CAT (P < 0.05) activities only in mice fed the low-iron diet. In conclusion, ascorbic acid supplementation can have prooxidant effects in the liver. However, ascorbic acid does not further increase the oxidative stress induced by increased dietary iron.     

Low vitamin a intake affects milk iron level and iron transporters in rat mammary gland and liver

Marginal vitamin A deficiency is common and can result in a secondary iron (Fe) deficiency. A positive correlation between maternal Fe status and milk Fe was observed in lactating women supplemented with both vitamin A and Fe but not with Fe alone, suggesting effects of vitamin A on mammary gland Fe transport. We hypothesized that low vitamin A intake during lactation elicits differential effects on mammary gland and liver Fe transport and storage proteins, thus affecting milk Fe concentration but not maternal Fe status. We fed rats a control (CON, 4 RE/g) or a marginal vitamin A diet (AD, 0.4 RE/g) through midlactation. Effects on plasma, milk, liver and mammary gland Fe and vitamin A concentrations, and divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1), ferroportin (FPN), ferritin (Ft), and transferrin receptor (TfR) expression were determined. Dams fed AD were not vitamin A or Fe deficient. Milk and liver vitamin A and Fe and mammary gland Fe concentrations were lower in rats fed AD compared with rats fed CON. Liver TfR expression was higher, whereas mammary gland TfR expression was lower in rats fed AD compared with rats fed CON. Liver Ft was unaffected, whereas mammary gland Ft was lower in rats fed AD compared with rats fed CON. Liver and mammary gland DMT1 and FPN protein levels were lower in rats fed AD compared with rats fed CON. Our results indicate that the mammary gland and liver respond differently to marginal vitamin A intake during lactation and that milk Fe is significantly decreased due to effects on mammary gland Fe transporters, putting the nursing offspring at risk for Fe deficiency.     

铁负荷对大鼠脂质过氧化作用影响及抗氧化维生素对其抑制作用

目的研究铁负荷对大鼠脂质过氧化的影响及具有抗氧化作用的维生素 (维生素E和 β 胡萝卜素 )对铁负荷所产生影响的作用。方法将 80只雄性Wistar大鼠按体重随机分为 8组 ,前 4组给予的饲料铁浓度分别为 5 0、2 0 0、3 5 0和 5 0 0mg kg饲料。后 4组饲料铁浓度分别与前 4组相同 ,但同时在饲料中补充抗氧化剂(维生素E 10 0mg kg饲料、β 胡萝卜素 2 5mg kg .BW) ,喂养 8周。实验结束时 ,测定血清铁、血脂 (总胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇 )、维生素E、维生素A ,血清丙二醛、氧化性低密度脂蛋白 ,超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶。结果铁负荷具有增加血清丙二醛、氧化性低密度脂蛋白及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平的趋势 ,5 0 0mg kg饲料组显著 ;各组谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性应激性增加 ,VE、VA含量下降。加入维生素类抗氧化剂可使丙二醛、氧化性低密度脂蛋白及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇降低 ,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇升高 ,超氧化物歧化酶降低。结论铁负荷可促进体内脂质过氧化反应 ,以十倍生理剂量最为显著 ,同时抗氧化酶类活性增加 ,以维持机体动态平衡 ;维生素类抗氧化剂可能通过非酶促反应体系发挥作用 ,抑制上述改变     

Effect of cholesterol feeding on tissue lipid perioxidation, glutathione peroxidase activity and liver microsomal functions in rats and guinea pigs.

The effect of cholesterol feeding on liver and aortic nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activities, and on liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation, codeine hydroxylation and cytochrome P-450 levels was examined in rats and guinea pigs. One percent cholesterol was added to a casein-sucrose-soybean oil basal diet for rats or a stock diet with 2% soybean oil for guinea pigs. The effect of vitamin E and cholestyramine was also examined in some experiments. Cholesterol feeding increased the rate of lipid peroxidation in liver and aortic homogenate both in rats and guinea pigs when fed non-vitamin E supplemented basal diets. Vitamin E supplementation prevented the increase in the aorta, but not as completely in the liver in rats, while the reverse was true in guinea pigs. The effect of cholestyramine was dependent on the level of vitamin E in the diet. Cholesterol feeding decreased glutathione peroxidase activities in rats and guinea pigs. In guinea pigs, cholesterol feeding also markedly decreased liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation, codein hydroxylation and cytochrome P-450 levels especially when fed non-vitamin E supplemented basal diets. In rats, cholesterol feeding reduced liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation and in some cases, increased microsomal codeine hydroxylation activities, but had no effect on microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels. Vitamin E supplementation increased liver and serum cholesterol levels in guinea pigs, but had no such effect in rats. Results of this study indicate that cholesterol feeding can result in various metabolic alterations in rats and guinea pigs. The implication of these alterations in atherogenesis requires further investigations.     

Long-term effects of dietary polychlorinated biphenyl and high level of vitamin E on ascorbic acid and lipid metabolism in rats

Long-term feeding of purified diets containing (per kg diet) 100 mg of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and 1000 mg of vitamin E (RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) to male Wistar rats was carried out. Rats fed a diet containing PCB rapidly became hypercholesterolemic and maintained high cholesterol levels throughout the 240 d of the experiment. Rats fed a high dietary level of vitamin E plus PCB had higher serum cholesterol and lower liver cholesterol than rats fed a lower level of vitamin E plus PCB. In rats fed PCB, urinary excretion of ascorbic acid was higher than in rats not fed PCB. Urinary ascorbic acid was lower in rats fed high levels of vitamin E plus PCB than in those fed the normal levels of vitamin E plus PCB. Rats fed PCB had lower liver vitamin A storage and higher vitamin A in kidney than rats not fed PCB. This implies that a redistribution of vitamin A occurred in rats fed PCB. Histological observations revealed that central halves of the hepatic lobules of rats fed PCB showed distinct changes consisting of hypertrophy of hepatocytes in the perivenous region and accumulation of vacuoles (lipid droplets) in the cells in the remaining affected portion. Administration of a high dose of vitamin E could not ameliorate this lesion while the treatment depressed effectively the lipid peroxidation. This suggests that the lipid peroxidation was not responsible for the hepatic damage induced by PCB.