Gunn-Elin Aa. Bjørneboe

Transport and distribution of α-tocopherol in lymph, serum and liver cells in rats

Rats were cannulated in the major mesenteric lymph duct and given an intraduodenal bolus of unlabeled and α-[3H]tocopherol, and [14C]oleic acid in soybean oil. The appearance of α-tocopherol in lymph was negligible during the first 2 h and peaked 4–15 h after feeding, whereas no detectable amount was recovered in the portal vein. Intestinal absorption via the lymphatic pathway was 15.4 ± 8.9% (n = 10) and 45.9 ± 10.8% (n = 4) for α-tocopherol and [14C]oleic acid, respectively. About 99% of α-tocopherol in lymph was associated with the chylomicron fraction (d < 1.006 g/ml). In non-fasting rats, 51% of serum α-tocopherol was associated with chylomicrons/VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein, d < 1.006 g/ml) and 47% with HDL (high-density lipoprotein, 1.05 < d < 1.21 g/ml). Our study revealed that the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue contain approx. 92% of the total mass of α-tocopherol measured in ten different organs. Parenchymal and nonparenchymal liver cells contributed to 75% and 25% of the total mass of α-tocopherol in the liver, respectively.

Reduced hepatic α-tocopherol content after long-term administration of ethanol to rats

We have studied the effects of long-term administration of ethanol on the distribution and pharmacokinetics of α-tocopherol. In rats fed ethanol (35% of total energy) for 5–6 weeks concentration of α-tocopherol in whole liver was reduced by 25% as compared to the pair-fed controls (P < 0.003). This reduction was significant in the parenchymal cells (28%, P < 0.004), whereas no significant difference was observed for the nonparenchymal cells. Mitochondrial α-tocopherol content was reduced by 55% in the ethanol-treated rats as compared to the controls (P < 0.002), whereas no significant difference was observed in microsomes, light mitochondria or cytosol. The serum levels of α-tocopherol showed no significant difference between the groups. When in vivo labeled chylomicron α-[3H]tocopherol was injected intravenously to anesthetized rats, we found a significant increase in serum half-life of α-tocopherol in the ethanol-treated group as compared to the controls (P < 0.025). Hepatic α-[3H]tocopherol content was similar in the two groups 24 h after injection.

A comparison of serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin with other biological markers of excessive drinking

In a study of suggested biological markers of excessive drinking, serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) was compared with serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase; serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and erythrocyte mean cellular volume. Analytical data were studied in relation to self-reported alcohol consumption during the latest month for the 69 participating subjects. CDT was found to be the most sensitive and most specific marker of excessive drinking, and was also found to be the best marker for monitoring abstinence under treatment of alcoholics.

Diminished Serum Concentration of Vitamin E in Alcoholics

The effect of heavy alcohol consumption on serum concentrations of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and selenium was studied in 13 alcoholics and 19 control subjects. Ethanol intake during the year previous to the study was in the range from 22 to 354 g/day and from 0 to 16 g/day among the alcoholics and controls, respectively. Of the 13 alcoholics, 6 had a serum concentration of alpha-tocopherol below the lower limit of reference (14 mumol/l) and mean serum concentration of alpha-tocopherol was reduced by 37% as compared to controls (p less than 0.002). Estimated dietary intake of alpha-tocopherol during the year previous to the study was approximately 40% lower for the alcoholics (p less than 0.05). During hard-drinking periods the alcoholics had a markedly reduced intake of alpha-tocopherol as compared to moderate-drinking and abstinent periods. Mean serum concentration of selenium was significantly reduced in the alcoholics (1.2 +/- 0.3 mumol/l) as compared to the controls (1.6 +/- 0.2 mumol/l) (p less than 0.002). The reduced serum levels of alpha-tocopherol and selenium may influence the maintenance of normal cell structure and function, and contribute to development of diseases frequently observed in alcoholics.

Serum half-life, distribution, hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of α-tocopherol in rats

Abstract The serum clearance of α-[3H)tocopherol has been studied after intravenous injection of intestinal lymph labeled in vivo with radioactive a-tocopherol. The half-life of the injected α-[3H]tocopherol was approx. 12 min. Fractionation of plasma by ultracentrifugation 10 min after injection of lymph showed that 91% of the radioactive α-tocopherol remaining in plasma was located in chylomicrons (d

Effect of n-3 fatty acid supplement to patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract. The effects of dietary supplement with n‐3 fatty acids to patients with atopic dermatitis were investigated in a 12‐week, prospective, double‐blind study. The experimental group received daily 10 g of fish oil, containing 3 g n‐3 fatty acids, of which eicosapentaenoic acid represented about 1.8 g. The controls received an isoenergetic placebo supplement containing olive oil. Compliance was monitored by gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid pattern in serum phospholipids. Results favoured the experimental group with regard to scale (P < 0.05), itch (P < 0.05) and overall subjective severity (P < 0.02) as compared to the controls.

Secretion of α-tocopherol from cultured rat hepatocytes

Abstract Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes and rat liver perfusions were used to study hepatic secretion of α-tocopherol. The secretion of α-tocopherol from hepatocytes in culture was linear with time for 4 h. Ultracentrifugation of the medium revealed that 89.4 ± 2.1% of α-tocopherol secreted during 4 h incubation was associated with the very-low density lipoprotein fraction (VLDL, d

Nutrition and Food Policy in Norway

Key Points The Norwegian Nutrition and Food Policy has its roots in the 1930s. A National Nutrition Council (NNC) was established in 1937 and re-organized in1946. Since then, it has had a mandate to give advice to the government regarding nutrition. After 1950, there was a substantial increase in mortality from coronary heart diseases (CHDs) that was associated with changes in food habits and lifestyle. In 1963, this increase resulted in an official Norwegian report on the relationship between dietary fat and cardiovascular disease. The report formed a basis for subsequent work, with the formulation of an official integrated Norwegian Nutrition and Food Policy. A White Paper was presented to the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) through Report No. 32 (1975–1976) “On Norwegian Nutrition and Food Policy.” In 1981, the government presented a follow-up White Paper. Later, the Nutrition and Food Policy was integrated into the health policy in reports to the Storting in 1993 and 2003. These four White Papers define the nutritional goals to be achieved for Norway and the measures that the government intends to employ to improve the Norwegian diet. The most recent White Paper advocated a broad health policy. It drew attention to the connections between the individual’s and the community’s responsibility for and possibility of influencing the health situation. At the ministerial level, two official bodies are given the responsibility to coordinate the implementation of the Nutrition and Food Policy: the National Food Control Authority and the NNC. The official nutrition and food policy White Papers have been central political and strategic documents in the efforts to improve public health in Norway during the last 30 yr. Currently, we can see several changes in Norwegian eating habits. Fat consumption has decreased from 40 to 34% of the food energy, mainly by a reduction of saturated and trans fat. Concomitantly, blood cholesterol has decreased, and mortality from CHD among middle-aged individuals has decreased by 60% during the last 30 yr. However, the prevalence of cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes has increased in the Norwegian population. The most recent White Paper was seriously concerned with these problems and provided suggestions and measures both for the society and the individual for improving the diet and increasing physical activity in daily life during the whole lifetime.