DISTRIBUTIONAL CHANGE OF ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL IN THE RAT LENS WITH AGE

Concentration of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc.) in the rat lens (1, 4 a nd 12 months old) was determined in single lenticular layers using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The highest concentration of al pha-Toc. in lens was found in the nucleus, followed by the deeper ante rior and deeper posterior cortices, the shallow anterior and shallow p osterior cortices, and the equatorial region. The topographic alpha-To c. distribution in the lens did not differ between lenses of 1-, 4- an d l2-month-old rats. A significant decrease of alpha-Toc. concentratio n was seen in lenses of 4- and 12-month-old rats compared to those 1 m onth old. Concentration and distribution in 4- and 12-month-old rat le nses were almost the same. The concentration of alpha-Toc. in the lens changes in relation to age.