Effect of oral supplementation of vitamin E on the hemolysis and erythrocyte phospholipid-splitting action of cobra and viper venoms.

In the present investigation, it was found that oral supplementation of graded amounts of vitamin E to volunteers increased the alpha-tocopherol content of the erythrocytes and decreased the susceptibility of the latter to the hemolytic action of cobra and viper venoms. Further, exogenous addition of graded amounts of alpha-tocopherol to the red cells, prior to the addition of either venoms, minimizes the venom-induced lysis and erythrocyte phospholipid splitting. It may thus be inferred that vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant, plays an important role in reducing the hemolytic action of cobra and viper venoms.