Effects of vitamin E in kid erythrocytes on Tween 20-induced hemolysis in vitro.

Red blood cells (RBC) of alpha-tocopherol sufficiency and deficiency were produced in kids fed on purified diets to investigate the relationship between RBC alpha-tocopherol levels and hemolysis induced by Tween 20. RBC alpha-tocopherol contents of vitamin E-deficient kids were non-detectable from 4 weeks, and percentages of hemolysis increased to over 70%. A highly significant decrease in hemolysis was noted when vitamin E was added to the diet. Tween 20 hemolysis values were negatively correlated with RBC tocopherol levels in kids. The concentration of RBC alpha-tocopherol required to prevent the hemolysis was found to be 0.6 microgram/ml packed cells.