THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN-E (ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL) SUPPLEMENTATION ON HEPATIC LEVELS OF VITAMIN-A AND VITAMIN-E IN ETHANOL AND COD LIVER OIL FED RATS

Eight groups of 5 rats were fed 8 differing liquid diets with and without ethanol, cod liver oil and/or increased levels of vitamin E. Hepatic levels of vitamins A and E were determined following the 28-day feeding time. Ethanol consumption decreased the levels of hepatic vitamin E (p < 0.05), vitamin A (p < 0.05) and the ratio of vitamin A/E (p < 0.05). Hepatic levels of vitamins A and E were unaffected in rats fed cod liver oil. Supplementation of the normal dietary level of 30 IU of vitamin E per kg diet, with an additional 142 IU alpha tocopherol/kg diet, restored hepatic concentrations of vitamin E to normal levels in alcohol-fed rats. The hepatic levels of vitamin A in rats fed ethanol diets supplemented with vitamin E were less than that of control rats but were 4.3 times greater than that of rats on ethanol diets unsupplemented with vitamin E. However, the vitamin A and E ratio was equal to normal in this group of rats. The vitamin A/E ratio was reduced in liver of rats fed non-alcoholic diets supplemented with vitamin E due to increased levels of hepatic vitamin E. Additionally, rats fed cod liver oil diets containing ethanol also indicated decreased hepatic vitamin A and E levels. However, these levels were greater than that of rats fed only alcoholic diets suggesting that these vitamins are replaced by the vitamin A and E content in the cod liver oil. Thus, in conclusion, vitamin E is not only absorbed and transported to the liver of rats abusing ethanol, but it also has a significant sparring effect on hepatic vitamin A stores in rats fed alcoholic diets and in rats fed control diets.