Lipid peroxidation and altered vascular function in vitamin E-deficient rats.

Female rats deprived of dietary vitamin E for 35 wk postweaning were analyzed for changes in vascular function. A functional state of vitamin E deficiency was indicated by a marked increase in spontaneous hemolysis of washed red cells by 22 wk of feeding. Elevated thiobarbituric acid-reactive material in aorta, liver, and plasma samples from vitamin-E deficient rats indicated increased lipid hydroperoxide formation. Systolic blood pressures and heart rates measured biweekly were unaltered by diet. Before being killed, the rats were catheterized and allowed to recover from anesthesia (methohexital sodium ip). The pressor response to graded doses of angiotensin II was significantly increased in the vitamin E-deficient group relative to its control. Isolated superior mesenteric artery segments from vitamin E-deficient rats demonstrated significantly decreased relaxation responses to acetylcholine. In contrast, artery contractile responses to 50 mM potassium and to graded doses of extracellular calcium did not differ, indicating that contractile capability was maintained. Surface blebbing of the femoral artery endothelium was observed by scanning electron microscopy. These data support a proposed link between lipid peroxidation and development of altered vascular function.