Effect of Dietary α-Tocopherol on Protein Metabolism in Vitamin A-deficient Rats

Abstract

Rats maintained with a vitamin A-deficient diet were fed at 2 levels of α-tocopherol. Control animals were pair-fed. Higher dietary α-tocopherol caused an increase in the liver stores of vitamin A in the control animals. Vitamin A deficiency increased liver concentration of α-tocopherol and lowered serum albumin but increased globulins. In vitro incorporation of C¹⁴-amino acids into diaphragm protein was significantly higher in the tissue of vitamin A-deficient rats fed at the lower α-tocopherol intake than in pair-fed controls. In contrast, the incorporation of C¹⁴-amino acids into protein from diaphragm of vitamin A-deficient rats receiving the higher α-tocopherol intake was significantly lower than that of pair-fed controls. These changes in protein metabolism may be explained through the effect of vitamin A and E on membrane properties.