Pharex Vitamin E Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E) is known to exert an important physiological function as an antioxidant for fats, with a sparing action on vitamin A, carotenoids and on unsaturated fatty acids. Other work has demonstrated that vitamin E is connected with the maintenance of certain factors essential for the normal metabolic cycle.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption of dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E) from the gastrointestinal tract is dependent on the presence of bile and on normal pancreatic function. The amount of vitamin E absorbed varies widely between about 20% and 80% and appears to decrease as the dose is increased. It enters the blood via the chylomicrons in the lymph and is bound to beta lipoproteins. It is widely distributed to all tissues and stored in adipose tissue. Some vitamin E is metabolized in the liver to glucuronides of tocopheronic acid and its γ-lactone. Some is excreted in the urine but most of a dose is slowly excreted in the bile. Vitamin E appears in breast milk but is poorly transferred across the placenta.