Vitamin E affects lung biochemical and morphologic response to hyperoxia in the newborn rabbit.

The effects of parenteral vitamin E treatment on aspects of the pulmonary biochemical and morphologic response to 100% oxygen were studied in newborn rabbits manifesting chemical evidence of vitamin E deficiency. Pups treated with 2 mg/100 g body weight increased serum vitamin E levels from 0.39 to 2.17 mg/dl by 72 hr and lung tissue vitamin E content from 3.52 to 17 mg/mg wet weight of lung. In vitro lipid peroxidation in lung homoginates of animals in 100% oxygen for 72 hr was inhibited by approximately 80% in animals receiving 100% oxygen plus vitamin E. Hyperoxia-induced increases in the pulmonary antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were diminished by vitamin E administration. Lungs from vitamin E-treated animals did not show the early lung epithelial injury seen in animals exposed to 100% oxygen but not treated with vitamin E. Mophometric analysis of lungs of animals in room air for 72 hr showed 81.6% of lung to be normal as compared with 43.3% normal lung in the group maintained in 100% oxygen for 72 hr. In the group treated with oxygen plus vitamin E, the lungs were similar to room air controls (82.6% normal). This study thus provides further evidence for a direct antioxident affect of vitamin E in lung.