MUSCLE UPTAKE OF VITAMIN-E AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH MUSCLE-FIBER TYPE

The effect of 800 IU vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) supplemen tation for 30 days on alpha- and gamma-tocopherol concentrations in ga strocnemius muscle and the relation between vitamin E concentrations a nd the distribution of Type I and II fibers was investigated in nine h ealthy adults (21 to 44 years). The plasma concentration of alpha-toco pherol increased by 300% (65.2 +/- 7.7 versus 21.8 +/- 2.3 mu mol/L) a nd gamma-tocopherol decreased by 74% (1.3 +/- 0.1 vs. 5.2 +/- 0.6 mu m ol/L) within 15 days of supplementation and was maintained at this pla teau with continuous supplementation. Muscle biopsies taken before and after supplementation showed a significant 53% ina ease of alpha-toco pherol (57.3 +/- 12.1 versus 37.6 +/- 7.0 nmol/g) and a 37% decrease o f gamma-tocopherol (7.8 +/- 1.1 versus 12.5 +/- 1.1 nmol/g). There was a significant correlation between plasma and muscle concentrations of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol (r = 0.71, P = 0.001 and r = 0.59, P = 0. 009 respectively). Muscle alpha-tocopherol, but not gamma-tocopherol, was inversely correlated with body mass index (r = -0.69, P = 0.008). The percentage of Type I fibers was inversely correlated with plasma c oncentrations of alpha-tocopherol (r = -0.69, P < 0.05), but this corr elation with muscle concentrations of alpha-tocopherol was weak. It ap pears that individuals with a higher percentage of Type I fibers may u tilize more alpha-tocopherol, perhaps to prevent oxidative damage from contractile activity. (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 1997.