From: Doug Skrecky (oberon@vcn.bc.ca)
Date: Fri Apr 10 1998 - 03:03:25 MDT
Authors
Kamal-Eldin A. Pettersson D. Appelqvist LA.
Institution
Department of Food Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,
Uppsala.
Title
Sesamin (a compound from sesame oil) increases tocopherol
levels in rats fed ad libitum.
Source
Lipids. 30(6):499-505, 1995 Jun.
Abstract
Six groups of rats were fed diets low, but adequate, in alpha-tocopherol but
high in gamma-tocopherol. The six diets differed only in their contents (0,
0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 g/kg, respectively) of sesamin, a lignan from
sesame oil. After four weeks of ad libitum feeding, the rats
were sacrificed and the concentrations of alpha- and gamma-tocopherols were
measured in the plasma, livers, and lungs. Sesamin-feeding increased
gamma-tocopherol and gamma-/alpha-tocopherol ratios in the plasma (P < 0.05),
liver (P < 0.001), and lungs (P < 0.001). The increase was non-significant
for alpha-tocopherol. Thus, sesamin appears to spare gamma-tocopherol in rat
plasma and tissues, and this effect persists in the presence of
alpha-tocopherol, a known competitor to gamma-tocopherol. This suggests that
the bioavailability of gamma-tocopherol is enhanced in phenol-containing
diets as compared with purified diets.
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