Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E on serum lipids and lipoproteins in rabbits fed a cholesterolemic diet.

The effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E on serum cholsterol, triglycerides, lipoproteins and lipoprotein composition was studied in rabbits fed a one per cent cholesterol diet for a period of twelve weeks. Vitamin E supplemented animals were found to maintain significantly lower concentrations of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins (d less than 1.006). The difference in the serum lipid content was mainly in the very low density lipoproteins of d less than 1.006. The possibility of an increased clearance of chylomicron remnants and decreased inhibition of extrahepatic lipoprotein lipase in hypercholesterolemic rabbits as a result of vitamin E supplementation is discussed in the light of the results obtained.