DETERMINANTS OF PLASMA VITAMIN-E IN HEALTHY-MALES

Vitamin E or tocopherol, a known antioxidant, may play a role in the e tiology of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. This stu dy examined both ''internal'' (lipids, lipoproteins, and apoproteins) and ''external'' (dietary components, physical activity, and body mass index) factors which may influence plasma alpha-tocopherol and gamma- tocopherol levels. Analyses were done using dietary questionnaires and plasma obtained from 65 nonsmoking male volunteers aged 30-59 years. Forty-six men did not take any supplements while 19 took supplements c ontaining vitamin E. A positive correlation (r = 0.32; P < 0.01) betwe en vitamin E intake and alpha-tocopherol status [(ratio of plasma alph a- or gamma-tocopherol/(total triglycerides + total cholesterol)] and a negative correlation (r = -0.33; P < 0.007) between intake and gamma -tocopherol status were observed. The main internal factors, or determ inants, for plasma alpha-tocopherol for nonsupplement users were plasm a triglycerides and apoproteins, apoA1 and apoB, but neither lipids no r apoproteins appeared to affect tocopherol levels in supplement users . External determinants of alpha-tocopherol status in nonsupplement us ers were vitamin E intake, total fat intake, and body mass index, whil e in supplement users only vitamin E intake was important. Both vitami n E intake and alcohol intake appeared to affect plasma gamma-tocopher ol status in a negative manner.