Interrelation between α-Tocopherol and Protein Metabolism

Abstract

Ulcer-like lesions of the rumen have been developed by starvation, semi-starvation and low-protein diets in adult rats reared on vitamin E-free diets. α-Tocopherol greatly increased the rate of cure of the stomach lesions produced by total starvation for 8 days when repletion was carried out with 40 Calories of an E-free diet daily. α-Tocopherol reduced the incidence and severity of rumen lesions produced by semi-starvation (20 Calories daily for 40 days) on lard diets. Lard in the diet seemed essential for this effect. Hydrogenated coconut oil induced ulcers but these were not affected by 1.0 mg daily of tocopherol. No rumen lesions were produced when fat-free diets were fed. Increasing the crude casein or adding tyrosine reduced or prevented lesion formation during semi-starvation, even in the absence of vitamin E. Weanling rats on a low-casein diet, fed ad libitum for a short period, developed marked lesions which were preventable by cystine by not by the level of tocopherol fed (1.0 mg/day). Adult rats on a low-protein, low-E diet for long periods developed ulcers which were preventable by α-tocopherol. A working hypothesis has been advanced to explain the beneficial action of tocopherol on stomach ulcers induced by dietary variations.