Abstract

The concentrations of $\alpha$-tocopherol in the brain, liver, and serum were studied with and without saponification process between control and vitamin E supplemented rats. Young rats, 80-120g body weight, were fed control and vitamin E supplemented diets, ad libitum, for four weeks. $\alpha$-Tocopherol concentrations were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. The $\alpha$-tocopherol concentration per wet weight base in the brain tissue was significantly lower than that in the liver. Vitamin E supplementation had no effect on brain $\alpha$-tocopherol levels in contrast to the significant increase in lover $\alpha$-tocopherol concentration with and without saponification is significantly greater in the brain than in the liver or serum. Further study is needed to clarify the nature of interaction or /and binding between $\alpha$-tocopherol and the complex membrane system in brain tissue. It can be speculated from this and other studies that the metabolism and the nature of interaction of $\alpha$-tocopherol with the complex membrane system in brain tissue rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids seems different from that in liver tissue or serum.

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