Vitamin E Activity of α-Tocopherol Side Chain Analogs in Selenium-Deficient Chicks 1

Abstract

Abstract

Three side chain analogs of all-rac-α-tocopherol (all-rac-α-T) were evaluated for vitamin E activity on the basis of their efficacies in preventing exudative diathesis (ED) and in supporting growth and survival of selenium-deficient chicks. Results showed that 2RS,4′RS-α-T-C₁₁ (lacking one isopentyl unit) and 2RS-α-T-nC₁₃ (with an unbranched 13-carbon side chain) had the following activities relative to those of all-rac-α-T: 69 and 50%, respectively, for supporting growth; 37 and 46%, respectively, for preventing exudative diathesis; 13 and 44%, respectively, for sustaining chick survival. 2RS-α-T-C₆ (lacking two isopentyl units) demonstrated no biological activity at the levels fed.