Biopotency of Non-Tocopherol Compounds in Vit. E Deficiency Diseases. ∗

Summary

Curative tests of Vit. E activity of ubiquinone, its hydroquinone and acid reduction product in relation to muscular dystrophy in the rabbit were negative. Similarly, solanachromene exhibited no biological activity with respect to dystrophy in rabbits or sterility in rats, Vit. E-deficient dystrophic rabbits underwent a remission of gross symptoms within approximately 5 days following oral treatment with N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine. The elevated plasma concentration of unesterified cholesterol declined to near-normal levels within 3 weeks, while skeletal muscle concentration responded more slowly. The results confirm previous findings indicating that the Vit. E requirement of rabbits and rats represents a need for suitable antioxygenic compounds.