Korean J Nutr.  2010 Jun;43(3):304-314. 10.4163/kjn.2010.43.3.304.

Vitamin E: alpha-Tocopherol and the Other Forms of Vitamin E

• Cho SH

• KMID: 2268019
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/kjn.2010.43.3.304

Abstract

Vitamin E has been a generic term for all tocopherol and tocotrienol derivatives. The most active form of vitamin E isoforms in vivo is regarded to be alpha-tocopherol which is the only form defined as vitamin E in the US Food and Nutrition Board, causing controversy over setting dietary reference intake (DRI) of vitamin E. However, most of the countries other than the US maintain the original concept that all isoforms are accepted as vitamin E but with different biopotency. The roles of the isoforms of vitamin E other than alpha-tocopherol have received continuous attention. Among them those of gamma-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol have been most studied in comparison with alpha-tocopherol, since gamma-tocopherol comprises major form of vitamin E in many plant seeds and those of the both vitamin E have been implicated in unique physiological functions. This review summarizes findings that have led a better understanding of vitamin E absorption, transport, tissue storage and various functions common and specific to vitamin E isoforms focusing alpha- and gamma-tocopherol as well as tocotrienols. It is expected to help redefining vitamin E and setting its DRI for Koreans.

Keyword

vitamin E DRI; alpha-tocopherol; gamma-tocopherol; tocotrienol

MeSH Terms

Absorption
alpha-Tocopherol
gamma-Tocopherol
Plants
Protein Isoforms
Seeds
Tocopherols
Tocotrienols
Vitamin E
Vitamins
Protein Isoforms
Tocopherols
Tocotrienols
Vitamin E
Vitamins
alpha-Tocopherol
gamma-Tocopherol

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Structures of tocopherols and tocotrienols. All are in the RRR-form. Sources: Adapted from Traber.13)

• 

  Fig. 2. Structures of tocopherols and tocotrienols (A) and all rac-α -tocopherols (B). Source. 4)

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  Fig. 3. Plasma labeled α -tocopherol time course.7) The participants (n = 5) ingested vitamin E-fortified apples (22 mg d6-α - tocopherol/serving) after a breakfast that contained 0%, 6%, or 21% fat (percentage of total kcal). Each trial was separated by a 2-wk washout period. Plasma d6-(labeled) and d0-(unlabeled) α -tocopherol(-T) concentrations (± SE; analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) are shown at each time point for each trial.

• 

  Fig. 4. Vitamin E secretion in chylomicrons (A) and RRR-α-tocopherol preferentially resecreted by the liver and distribution to circulating lipoproteins (B). Source.13)

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  Fig. 5. Proposed pathway for the metabolism of α-tocopherol to α-CEHC. Source.24)

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