Influence of tocopherol on temperature of upper limbs at local cooling

The influence of tocopherol (300 mg/day for 7 days) on skin temperature, arterial blood pressure and pulse rate at local cooling of upper limbs (submersion of both hands in water at +10 degrees C for 10 minutes) in volunteers living in Dixon (74 degrees N in the Taimir national region) was investigated. The findings indicate that the intake of tocopherol prevents temperature decrease in response to cold exposure and promotes more effective initial temperature recovery. Under the influence of tocopherol the spastic reactions of microvessels in the skin to cold became milder. In addition the intake of tocopherol prevents undesirable hemodynamic shifts caused by cold exposure.