Effects of selenium deficiency on vitamin E metabolism in rats.

Abstract

The metabolism of radioactive vitamin E in Se deficient rats was compared to the metabolism of this vitamin in rats supplemented with 0.1 ppm Se as sodium selenite in the diet. After dosing with 3H .alpha. tocopherol, the plasma level of radioactivity remained elevated through 48 h in deficient rats. A decline to nearly background levels occurred within 12 h in the supplemented rats. The uptake and release of radioactivity in the erythrocytes and liver were more rapid in deficient rats than in supplemented ones. A 65% greater increase in excretion of radioactivity occurred in the urine from deficient rats as compared to supplemented ones. Vitamin E is probably metabolized more rapidly in Se deficient rats than in supplemented ones.