Tocopherol vs. Tocopherol Acetate as a “Sparer” of Vitamin A.

Summary

1. In bio-assays of vitamin A, α-tocopherol, but not α-tocopherol acetate, increased the rate of gain in the assay period. In a post-assay depletion period, animals that received α-tocopherol during the assay period survived 30-80% longer than controls.

2. As judged by gain in weight in the assay period, there is an optimum dosage of α-toco-pherol; animals receiving 1.5 mg per day gained less than those receiving 0.5 mg. This conforms to the antioxygenic behavior of α-tocopherol.

3. Some of the possible causes for the failure of α-tocopherol acetate to conserve vitamin A are briefly discussed.