Tissue levels of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in response to continuous intravenous multivitamin infusion.

Weanling rats were made vitamin E deficient over a 10-week course. Vitamin E was then provided at 4 IU/kg/day as a continuous infusion of the alpha-tocopherol in Berocca PN. Tissue samples of heart, lung, liver, and perinephric fat and plasma were analyzed for vitamin E levels at 24 and 72 hr. Compared to experimental controls that received a rat chow containing 372 IU/g mixed tocopherol, normal levels were achieved in the test group within 24 hr in plasma and liver. Lung and heart muscle levels were within the normal range by 24-72 hr, although significantly below the control level; fat levels did not normalize. Continuous infusion of vitamin E as tocopherol in a multivitamin preparation results in normal tissue levels in lung and liver in a fashion similar to that achieved by previously described methods of single bolus intravenous infusion or repeated subcutaneous injection.