Vitamin E deficiency: impaired absorption and membrane injury
THE CONTEXT
The passage distinguishes experimental animal findings from human deficiency associated with impaired vitamin absorption or transport and inadequate reserves in premature infants.
Experimental animals
•
Vitamin E deficiency causes resorption of fetuses and testicular atrophy in experimental animals.
Human deficiency
•
The source states that dietary vitamin E deficiency in humans is unknown.
•
Severe fat malabsorption, cystic fibrosis, and some forms of chronic liver disease can cause deficiency through inability to absorb or transport vitamin E.
•
This deficiency leads to nerve and muscle membrane damage.
Premature infants
•
Premature infants are born with inadequate vitamin E reserves.
•
Lipid peroxidation makes erythrocyte membranes abnormally fragile, leading to hemolytic anemia.