Tissue damage in vitamin E deficient rats is not detected by expired ethane and pentane

Despite evidence for tissue damage in vitamin E deficient rats, no discernible difference in ethane and pentane production was apparent compared with controls. It is suggested that other sources of hydrocarbons may mask hydrocarbon production from peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid components of cell membranes, or that tissue damage occurs before peroxidation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids.