Effect of Vitamin E Deficient Diet Upon Skeletal Muscle

Abstract

Rats reared from birth on a vitamin E-deficient diet show dystrophic changes of the skeletal musculature within 6 months. This is evidenced by a decreased maximal contractile power, and decreased creatine and increased chloride concentration of the gastrocnemius muscle. The male is affected to a greater extent than is the female. These changes become manifest in the presence of only minor histologic change in the muscle, and without the appearance of gross symptoms. It is apparent that wheat germ oil will protect completely against these changes.