Abstract
Summary and Conclusions
The disuc-cinate of α-tocopherylhydroquinone has been tested for antisterility activity by daily intravenous injections in pregnant vit. E-deficient rats. This antidystrophic compound was found to be devoid of the antisterility activity associated with α-tocopherol. Moreover, the injection of dystrophic rabbits with large curative doses of α-tocopherylhydroquinone; or its disuccinate, did not lead to the appearance of tocopherol in the serum. Both of these observations indicate that α-tocopherylhydroquinone is not converted to α-tocopherol to a significant extent in the body. It appears therefore that α-tocopherylhydroquinone is an antidystrophic factor or vitamin per se. Alpha-tocopherol, on the other hand, is the antisterility vitamin. It may possess antidystrophic activity as such, or alternatively, it may only be the provitamin for α-tocopherylhydroquinone. The separation of antidystrophic from antisterility activity is discussed with relation to the function of vit. E in muscular dystrophy.
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