Plasma alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels and tocopherol-lipid ratio among children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)
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Insights
Malnourished children often have low vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels. However, their vitamin E to total lipid ratio is typically normal, suggesting adequate fat intake for vitamin E absorption.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is a crucial fat-soluble antioxidant.
- Assessing vitamin E status is vital for malnourished populations, especially children.
- The tocopherol/total lipid ratio can indicate the adequacy of fat intake for vitamin E absorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) status in malnourished children.
- To compare vitamin E status and related lipid profiles with healthy children.
- To determine if low vitamin E levels in malnourished children are associated with impaired fat absorption.
Main Methods:
- Assessed plasma alpha-tocopherol levels in 47 malnourished children and 10 controls.
- Measured plasma total lipid concentrations in both groups.
- Calculated the ratio of alpha-tocopherol to total lipid.
Main Results:
- 85% of malnourished children had low plasma vitamin E (<11.61 mumol/l).
- Only 7 malnourished children had a low tocopherol/total lipid ratio (<0.8 mg/g).
- Control group showed significantly higher plasma vitamin E and tocopherol/total lipid ratios.
Conclusions:
- Malnourished children frequently exhibit deficient vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels.
- The tocopherol/total lipid ratio is generally preserved in malnourished children, indicating sufficient fat intake.
- Vitamin E supplementation may be necessary for malnourished children, even with adequate fat intake.
Abstract:
The fat-soluble vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) status of 47 malnourished children was assessed and compared with that of a control group of ten age-matched normal children. Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol, total lipid and the ratio of alpha-tocopherol to total lipid were determined. The plasma vitamin E level was low, with a value of less than 11.61 mumol/l (500 micrograms/dl) in 40 (85%) of the malnourished children while the remaining seven (15%) children had values that ranged between 11.61 and 17.20 mumol/l (500-741 micrograms/dl). On the other hand, the tocopherol/total lipid ratio was less than 0.8 mg/g of total lipid in only seven of the malnourished children. The remaining 40 (85%) subjects had values that ranged between 0.8 and 1.96 mg/g of total lipid, whereas in the control group, both the plasma tocopherol levels and the tocopherol/lipid ratio were greater than 11.61 mumol/l (500 micrograms/dl) and 0.8 mg/g of plasma total lipid respectively.