[Effect of alpha-tocopherol on relations between RNA and ubiquinone biosynthesis in rat liver]

The animals were kept on the low-protein diet deprived of vitamin E. Addition of the latter to the diet fed to a noticeable increase in the intensity of the biosynthesis of total and nuclear RNA of the rat liver. alpha-Tocopherol had a clearly marked stimulant effect on the synthesis of RNA and ubiquinone as shown by in vitro experiments under 30-minute preincubation of the liver from rats with E-hypovitaminosis. Meanwhile actinomycin D was found to inhibit these processes. Under preincubation with actinomycin D or concurrent introduction of the antibiotic with alpha-tocopherol the effect of the latter does no get realized. Unlike alpha-tocopherol, ionol and other synthetic antioxidants proved ineffective. It is assumed that the stimulant effect of vitamin E on the biosynthesis of ubiquinone in the liver of rats with E-hypovitaminosis is related to the increased intensity of the RNA synthesis and differs from the antioxidant one as regards the type. It is also assumed that the action of alpha-tocopherol on the RNA synthesis is effected at the transcriptional level.