Vitamin E and stress

1. Liver necrosis was produced in rats given diets deficient in selenium and vitamin E and the metabolism of [5-Me-14C]D-α-tocopherol was studied during the development of the disease. 2. When a torula yeast diet (containing sufficient of the yeast to provide essential fatty acids) was used, the addition of 5 % cod-liver oil fatty acid methyl esters produced only a slight decrease in the time taken to produce the disease, compared to controls given methyl oleate; methionine had little protective effect. The metabolism of the radioactive tocopherol was unaffected by dietary lipid, Se or methionine and was not influenced by the development of necrosis. 3. When a casein diet (devoid of fat and containing insufficient Se to prevent liver necrosis) was used, the addition of small amounts of linoleic acid to the diet (as 2 % maize oil fatty acid methyl esters) decreased the time taken to produce the disease and increased its incidence. However, the metabolism of the radioactive tocopherol was independent of dietary lipid or Se. 4. It would appear that either Se or vitamin E may be necessary for effective utilization of the ratapos;s requirement for linoleic acid.