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Abstract
The natural vitamin E tocotrienol (TCT) possesses biological properties not shared by tocopherols (TCP). Nanomolar α-TCT, not α-TCP, is potently neuroprotective (JBC 275:13049; 278:43508; Stroke 36:2258). The report that the affinity of TTP to bind α-TCT is an order of magnitude lower than that for α-TCP questions the bioavailability of orally taken TCT to tissues. Oral supplementation of TCT for 3 years in nine generations of female and male rat was studied. Ten vital organs were examined. To gain insight into the turnover of α-TCT in tissues, a subset of supplemented rats was moved to vitamin E deficient diet for 7 weeks. Orally supplemented α-TCT was delivered to all vital organs including the brain and spinal cord in significant amounts. In organs such as the skin, adipose and gonads the maximum level of α-TCT achieved in response to supplementation was folds higher than baseline values of α-TCP in rats maintained on laboratory chow. Females had higher levels of α-TCT compared to matched tissues of corresponding males. To gain insight into how quickly α-TCT is metabolized in the tissues, washout of α-TCT from vital organs was examined. α-TCT accumulated in vital organs over more than 2 years was almost completely lost in less than 2 months when the supplementation was stopped. This is in sharp contrast with findings related to α-TCP retention. The ability of long term oral supplementation to maintain and elevate α-TCT levels in vital organs together with the rapid elimination of the intact vitamin from all organs studied underscores the need for continuous oral supplementation of TCT.