Methods for determination of vitamins A and E our simple HPLC assay

Biological effects of reactive oxygen species and other radicals which are controlled by antioxidant mechanism are exerted on the basis of enzymes and substrates. Antioxidant substrates are divided into lipophilic and hydrophilic groups. Main representants of lipophilic antioxidants are retinol and tocopherol which are closely related to ascorbate in the hydrophilic compartment. Described methods for detection of retinol and alpha-tocopherol are simple, sensitive, specific and precise. They are reliable, economic and fast. Only small amounts of serum are used for one analysis which is convenient for patients, too. Our methods can be recommended for routine use in laboratories of clinical biochemistry. Haemodialyzed patients, retinol serum level was higher than that in blood donors while alpha-tocopherol serum level did not differ. Both vitamin A and E serum levels were similar in alcoholics compared to controls.