1.
Prof.(Dr) Viyatprajna Acharya
MD, PhD
VITAMIN E

2.
The anti-sterility factor
TOCOPHEROL
Structure elucidated by Paul Karrer
NP-1937

3.
Chemistry
Lipid soluble antioxidant at cell membrane
Maintains fluidity of cell membrane
Cell signaling
8 naturally occurring tocopherols - α- D- Tocopherol
MC
A chromane ring (Tocol)& an isoprenoid side chain
2 generic families- Tocopherols & Tocotrienols

4.
METABOLISM
• Fat soluble vitamin- absorbed along with fat

5.
Dietary Vitamin E
↓
Follows path of lipid absorption
↓
Carried by chylomicrons to the liver
↓
Hepatic α-Tocopherol transport protein carries it
to intracellular medium
↓
From liver through VLDL-C it is secreted to
circulation

6.
Biochemical functions
Most powerful natural antioxidant
Protects RBC from hemolysis
Boosts immune response
Prevents ageing
↓ risk of atherosclerosis- but clinical trials have f
ailed to show an association between Vit E supple
ment directly

7.
It’s a chain-breaking, free radical trapping
antioxidant
Vitamin C and E are inter-related

8.
Sources of
Vitamin E
• Vegetable oils- sun
flower, safflower,
wheat germ oil
• Broccoli, spinach
• Shrimp
• Fish oil
• D/R- 15-20mg/day

9.
Dietary deficiency is rare in human
Causes:
• Malabsorption syndrome, Chr. Liver disease,
cystic fibrosis, premature infants
• D/R- 8-10 mg/day
• Least toxic- hypervitaminosis also rare

10.
Deficiency manifestation
• Hemolytic anemia – due to oxidative damage to RBC me
mbrane
• Neurologic deficits- spinocerebellar ataxia similar to Frie
dreich’s ataxia, myopathy, retinopathy, peripheral neuro
pathy

11.
Therapeutic use
• Restless leg syndrome
• Stress
• Myopathies
• Neuromuscular diseases

12.
For more PPT on medical Biochemistry
www.vpacharya.com