Peroxide formation, vitamin E and myocardial damage in the rat.

Rats were fed diets containing 10% cod liver oil with or without dietary tocopherol for 16 or 32 weeks. Adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and myocardium were isolated. They were examined histologically and analyzed for autoxidation products and a number of energy metabolites. After 16 weeks small amounts of peroxides were present in adipose tissue as determined by the thiocyanate method. Ceroid pigment and slightly defective striation were observed in myocardium and to a lesser extent in skeletal muscle of the tocopherol deficient group. The ATP content was also significantly lower in this group. After 32 weeks, adipose tissue of the tocopherol deficient group contained large amounts of ceroid and had a high content of peroxides and other autoxidation products. More ceroid and a significantly higher peroxide estimate in lipid extracts were found in myocardium of the tocopherol deficient group as compared to the controls. Similar but weaker signs of peroxide occurrence and ceroid formation were obtained in skeletal muscle. The significance of the findings for myocardial function is discussed.