Efficacy of water-soluble vitamin E in the treatment of vitamin E malabsorption in short-bowel syndrome.

Abstract

A water-soluble form of vitamin E, tocopheryl succinate polyethylene glycol 1000 (TPGS), was used as an oral vitamin E supplement in a 71-y-old patient with severe fat malabsorption and vitamin E deficiency secondary to short-bowel syndrome. An absorption test with deuterium-labeled TPGS demonstrated that TPGS was absorbed and the released alpha-tocopherol was transported normally in lipoproteins. The disappearance portion of the deuterated alpha-tocopherol curves were parallel to those in control subjects, suggesting normal metabolic turnover of alpha-tocopherol. Long-term (3 y) supplementation with orally administered TPGS (10,360 mg or 4000 IU/d) maintained normal plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations, raised adipose tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations, and prevented further progression of the neurological abnormalities resulting from vitamin E deficiency. Thus, TPGS can be an effective vitamin E supplement in short-bowel syndrome despite severe fat malabsorption.

• Authors: M G Traber, T D Schiano, A C Steephen, H J Kayden, M Shike
• Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr) Vol. 59 Issue 6 Pg. 1270-4 (Jun 1994) ISSN: 0002-9165 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8198049 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Vitamin E
• Polyethylene Glycols
• tocophersolan

Topics

• Aged
• Humans
• Intestinal Absorption (drug effects)
• Male
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Short Bowel Syndrome (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Solubility
• Vitamin E (analogs & derivatives, metabolism, pharmacology, therapeutic use)