Abstract
Alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol are present in many foods and are, in the absence of fat malabsorption, well absorbed from the gut. Their anti-oxidant property is well known and protects arteries and capillaries as well as blood lipids and nervous tissue against oxidative stress. In contrast to beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol, alpha-tocopherol is preferentially conserved by the discriminating action of the liver alpha-tocopherol transfer protein, which also maintains plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration within a range of 20 to 40 μM. In the circulation, alpha-tocopherol, in association with the transfer-protein, is assembled into the very low-density lipoprotein and low-density liprotein particles and released for use by the peripheral tissues. Recent data suggest that alpha-tocopherol is not only an anti-oxidant but also a regulator of gene expression through its binding to nuclear receptors. The precise mechanism of regulating gene expression, however, is still unknown. The four tocopherols are ultimately degraded by omega-oxidation and subsequent beta-oxidations followed by the elimination of the metabolites in the bile and in the urine. Patients with a defect of the alpha-tocopherol transfer protein are unable to maintain their alpha-tocopherol reserves and progressively lose tendon reflexes and have signs and symptoms of spinocerebellar ataxia while plasma vitamin E level drops below 2 μg/ml.
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Abbreviations
- Alpha-T or alpha-tocopherol:
-
2R, 4′R, 8′R Alpha-tocopherol
- Alpha-TBP:
-
Alpha-Tocopherol binding protein
- Alpha-TTP:
-
Alpha-Tocopherol transfer protein
- AVED:
-
Ataxia with vitamin E deficiency
- CM:
-
Chylomicron
- FFA:
-
Free fatty acids
- MTP:
-
Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein
- VLDL:
-
Very low-density lipoprotein
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Eggermont, E. Recent advances in vitamin E metabolism and deficiency. Eur J Pediatr 165, 429–434 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-006-0084-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-006-0084-5