vitamin E

1. M R . A . A J I T H
L E C T U R E R
C O L L E G E O F A L L I E D H E A L T H S C I E N C E
S R I V E N K A T E S W A R A A U N I V E R S I T Y
K O V I L P A T T I .
VITAMIN E

2. VITAMIN E
 Vitamin E – tocopherol
 It is naturally occurring antioxidant.
 Its essential for normal reproduction in many animals,
hence known as anti-sterility vitamin
 Vitamin E is described as a ‘vitamin in search of a
disease
 Evans and his associates -1936 isolated the compounds
of vitamin E activity and named them as tocopherol
 Greek ; tokos -child birth
pheros-to bear
ol - alcohol

3. Chemistry
 Vitamin E is the name given to a group of
tocopherols and tocotrienol.
 Tocopherols have been identified –α,β,γ etc…
 Among these α-tocopherol is the most active
 Tocopherol are derivatives of 6-hydroxy chromane
(tocol) ring with isoprenoid 3 units side chain.
 The antioxident property is due to the chromane
ring.

4. Absorption, transport and storage
 Vitamin E is absord along with fat in the small
intestine
 Bile salts are necessary for the absorption
 In the liver it is incorporated into lipoproteins (VLDL
and LDL) and transported.
 Vitamin E is stored in adipose tissue, liver and
muscle.
 The normal plasma level tocopherol is less than
1 mg /dl

5. Biochemical functions
 Most of the antioxident of vitamins E are related to
its antioxident property.
 It prevents the non-enzymatic oxidents of various
cell components .
 Vitamin E is lipophilic in character and is found in
association with lipoproteins ,fat deposits and
cellular membrane.
 It protects the poly unstaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
from peroxidation

6.  Vitamin E is essential for the membrane structure
integrity of the cell, hence its regarded as a membrane
antioxidant.
 Its prevents the peroxidation of poly unsaturated fatty
acids in various tissues and membranes.
 Its products RBC from haemolysis by oxidizing agents
(H2O2)
 Its closely associated with reproductive functions and
prevents sterility.
 Vitamin E preserves and maintains germinal epithelium
of gonads for proper reproductive function
 Its involved in proper synthesis of nucleic acid

7.  Vitamin E protects liver from being damaged by
toxic compounds such as carbon tetra chloride
 Its required for proper storage of creatine in skeletal
muscle
 Vitamin E has been recommended for the prevention
of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

8. Vitamin E selenium
 The element selenium is found in the enzyme
gultathione peroxidase that destroys frr radicals.
 Se is also invloved in antioxident functions like
vitamin E,and both of them act synergistically.

9. Recommended dietary allowance (RDA)
 Intake of vitamin E is directly related tonthe
consumption of poly unsaturated fatty acids
 i.e requirement increases with increased intake of PUFA
A daily consumption of about 10mg(15IU) of alpha tocopherol –
man
8mg (12IU)
One mg of alpha tocopherol is equal to 1.5IU

10. Dietary sources
 Many vegtables oils are rich sources of vitamin E
 Cotton seed oil
 Peanut oil
 Corn oil
 Sunflower oil
 Meat
 Milk
 Butter
 Eggs

11. Deficiency symptoms
 The symptoms of vitamin E deficiency vary from one animal species to another.
 In many animals, the deficiency is associated with sterility, degenerative changes in
muscle, megaloblastic anaemia and changes in central nervous system.
 Severe symptoms of vitamin E deficiency are not seen in humans except increased
fragility of erythrocytes and minor neurological symptoms.
 Toxicity of vitamin E
 Among the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), vitamin E is the least toxic. No toxic
effect has been reported even after ingestion of 300 mg/ day for 23 years.
 The symptoms of vitamin E deficiency vary from one animal species to another. In
many animals, the deficiency is associated with sterility, degenerative changes in
muscle, megaloblastic anaemia and changes in central nervous system. Severe
symptoms of vitamin E deficiency are not seen in humans except increased fragility
of erythrocytes and minor neurological symptoms. Toxicity of vitamin E Among the
fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), vitamin E is the least toxic. No toxic effect has been
reported even after ingestion of 300 mg/ day for 23 years.

12. Toxicity of vitamin E
 Toxicity of vitamin E
 Among the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), vitamin E is the least
toxic. No toxic effect has been reported even after ingestion of 300
mg/ day for 23 years.
 The symptoms of vitamin E deficiency vary from one animal species
to another.
 In many animals, the deficiency is associated with sterility,
degenerative changes in muscle, megaloblastic anaemia and
changes in central nervous system.
 Severe symptoms of vitamin E deficiency are not seen in humans
except increased fragility of erythrocytes and minor neurological
symptoms.
 Toxicity of vitamin E Among the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K),
vitamin E is the least toxic. No toxic effect has been reported even
after ingestion of 300 mg/ day for 23 years.
 VTM-Venous thrombo emblism