Metabolism of Alpha-Tocopherol and the Isolation of a Nontocopherol-Reducing Substance from Animal Tissues

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Abstract
It has been demonstrated that α-tocopherol-5-methyl-C14 was converted in rats and pigs into three metabolites: compound F and compounds Oi and Os. These compounds are oils, and they were isolated and separated from liver extracts by a combination of column and paper chromatographic methods. Compound F, which is the main metabolite, can be reduced readily to an Emmerie-Engel-positive material. Neither compound is a quinone or hydroquinone, and neither contains phosphorus in its molecule. It has been shown that the compounds α-tocopherylquinone, α-tocopherylhydroquinone, α-tocopheroxide, trimethylphytylbenzoquinone and Simon’s metabolites, which have been suggested as possible metabolic or degradation products of α-tocopherol, are not present in rat and pig liver under conditions used in these experiments. The importance of these compounds in studying the function of vitamin E has been discussed. The isolation of a new reducing compound from rat, chicken, and beef liver and from beef heart mitochondria has been described and its possible relationship with α-tocopherol and other antioxidants discussed.