Tocotrienols and α-Tocopherol Reduced Acute and Chronic Lung Lipid Peroxidation Induced by Paraquat in Rats

The effect of dietary tocotrienols and α-tocopherol acetate supplementation on paraquat-induced lung toxicity was investigated in rats. The administration of a single dose of paraquat (20 mg/kg, i.p.) to rats increased lung malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and produced lung edema. Tocotrienols (150 mg/kg pellet) or α-tocopherol (34 mg/kg pellet) supplementation of two months significantly reduced lung MDA levels in rats exposed to paraquat but lung edema was unaffected. However lower doses of tocotrienols in the diet did not significantly lower lung MDA levels compared with the unsupplemented controls. Our results showed that dietary supplementation of tocotrienols and α-tocopherol provides protection against paraquat toxicity possibly through their antioxidant property.