[Effect of alpha-tocopherol on the adrenal reaction to cold stress].

Adrenocortical function and the intensity of lipid peroxidation in the liver of animals fed the diet containing alpha-tocopherol (4 mg/day/rat for 7 days) and exposed to cold stress for 2, 5 and 20 hours were studied in vitro. It was established that alpha-tocopherol reduces the duration of the corticosterone secretion augmentation under cold stress but raises the sensitivity of the adrenals to ACTH. The action of the antioxidant correlated with its content in the tissues and inhibition of the cold-induced activation of lipid peroxidation.