Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0042875 (vitamin E deficiency)
 916 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The objective of this investigation was to find out whether vitamin E deficiency, apart from influencing the lipid component of cellular membranes, also influences the protein component. For that purpose a number of membrane-bound enzymes in the liver of the Pekin duckling were histochemically, cytochemically, and biochemically examined. Furthermore, cells, cellular membranes, and protein particles in membranes were morphometrically investigated. Histochemically five membrane-bound enzymes appeared to be stimulated in vitamin E deficiency: 5'-nucleotidase, glucose-6-phosphatase, isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP), tetrazolium reductase (NADH), and tetrazolium reductase (NADPH). 5'-Nucleotidase and glucose-6-phosphatase were also investigated cytochemically and biochemically. The cytochemical localization of these enzymes was identical in control and vitamin E-deficient ducklings. Biochemically, a stimulation of these two enzymes also could be demonstrated. The increase per milligram of DNA appeared to be largest whereas the increase per milligram of protein, per milligram of phospholipid, and per milligram of RNA was only half of the increase per milligram of DNA. This can be explained by the 30 per cent increase of the cell volume in vitamin E deficiency leading to an increase of protein, phospholipid, and RNA per cell. The thickness of membranes and the diameter of protein particles in membranes were measured in liver parenchymal cells. In vitamin E deficiency the thickness of the outer mitochondrial membrane and the diameter of protein particles in this membrane were smaller whereas the thickness of the endoplasmic reticular membrane was larger. The increase of the activities of mitochondrial and microsomal enzymes and the decrease of the thickness of the outer mitochondrial membrane and of its protein particles are interpreted to be the result of the influence of free radicals on membranes with electron transport functions. The increase of 5'-nucleotidase activity in the plasma membrane is likely to have a different cause; it may be related to the transport of nucleotides across this membrane.
 ...
PMID:Cellular membranes and membrane-bound enzymes in vitamin E deficiency. A histochemical, cytochemical, biochemical, and morphologic study of the liver of the Pekin duckling. 16 37

Subjects with a variety of enteropathies, hemolytic anemias, acute respiratory distress syndrome, hepatitis, Gaucher's disease as well as those on TPN and hemodialysis, often have low ("deficient") blood levels of vitamin E. A deficiency of vitamin E can be manifested by accelerated red blood cell destruction and neuromuscular deficit. Supplementation of these patients may be advisable. Neurological dysfunction has been observed in adults with prolonged vitamin E deficiency resulting from lipid malabsorption. Long-term treatment with high doses of vitamin E results in improvement. Administration of 800 IU/day of vitamin E to subjects with G6PD deficiency, sickle-cell anemia and beta-thalassemia has resulted in improvement of hematological parameters. Supplementation with 300 IU/day for 3-6 months has resulted in improved walking distances and improved blood flow in patients with intermittent claudication. In a limited number of controlled studies, 300-600 IU/day resulted in improvement in premenstrual syndrome, tardive dyskinesia and also arthritis. Epidemiological studies suggest that high levels of serum vitamin E are associated with lower risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and infections. In some cases the high levels are difficult to obtain by diet alone. High levels of vitamin E are contraindicated in subjects who are receiving vitamin K antagonists as anticoagulant therapy. Except for this interaction with vitamin K, there are no specific side effects associated with high doses of vitamin E. Thus, there are various reasons for supplementations with vitamin E and, with the exception noted, the risk of such supplementation is very low.
 ...
PMID:Use and safety of elevated dosages of vitamin E in adults. 250 7