VITAMIN-E PROTECTS AGAINST BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED INCREASE OF PLASMA-CORTICOSTERONE AND BRAIN GLUTAMATE IN THE RAT

Plasma corticosterone (CS) and brain free aminoacids were determined i n male rats 2 hr after acute exposure to bacterial endotoxin stress BE S (2.0 mg/kg i.p. of lipopolysaccharide, LPS). A significant increase in the levels of plasma CS and brain taurine (Tau), aspartate (As), gl utamate (Glu), glycine (Gly) and valine (Val) was observed following B ES. When vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate AT) was given orally (0.2 5 gm/kg/day) 4 days before induction of BES, the plasma CS as well as the brain Glu levels were significantly reduced to the control values. These results indicate that plasma CS and brain Glu may be involved i n the mechanisms by which AT protects against the neurotoxicity of BES .