Effects of storage conditions and hemolysis on vitamin E concentrations inporcine serum and liver

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is an antioxidant vitamin important in protect ing unsaturated fatty acids in lipid membranes from peroxidation. Variation in collection, storage, and shipping conditions of samples can potentially lead to breakdown of vitamin E prior to analysis. Therefore, the purposes of this project were 1) to determine the stability of vitamin E in refriger ated and frozen porcine liver and serum and 2) to evaluate the effects of r ed blood cell (RBC) hemolysis on porcine serum vitamin E concentrations. Po rcine liver and non-hemolyzed serum were collected and stored refrigerated or frozen. Samples were analyzed for Vitamin E immediately or on days 2, 3, 7, or 14. In addition, porcine RBCs were added to normal serum at concentr ations from 1 X 10(6) to 1 X 10(9) RBC/ml and hemolyzed by freeze-thaw prio r to analysis for vitamin E or products of lipid peroxidation.