Abstract
Weanling rats were made vitamin E deficient over a 10-week course. Vitamin E was then provided at 4 IU/ kg/day as a continuous infusion of the α-tocopherol in Berocca PN. Tissue samples of heart, lung, liver, and perinephric fat and plasma were analyzed for vitamin E levels at 24 and 72 hr.
Compared to experimental controls that received a rat chow containing 372 IU/g mixed tocopherol, normal levels were achieved in the test group within 24 hr in plasma and liver. Lung and heart muscle levels were within the normal range by 24-72 hr, although significantly below the control level; fat levels did not normalize. Continuous infusion of vitamin E as tocopherol in a multivitamin preparation results in normal tissue levels in lung and liver in a fashion similar to that achieved by previously described methods of single bolus intravenous infusion or repeated subcutaneous injection. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
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