Abstract
We examined the enhancing effect of sesame lignans on α-tocopherol concentration in rats using three kinds of lignans: sesaminol, sesamin and sesamol. Rats were given diets for 8 weeks containing normal (50 mg/kg diet) or low (10mg/kg diet) levels of α-tocopherol supplemented with 0.2% sesame lignans. Although sesame lignans, especially sesamin, caused a significant increase in liver weight, the weights of other organs were not affected. Sesaminol and sesamin suppressed the level of lipid peroxides in the liver and kidney caused by a low α-tocopherol diet, but sesamol did not produce such strong suppression as sesaminol and sesamin. Sesame lignans increased the level of α-tocopherol in plasma and tissue. The largest enhancing effect was found with sesaminol and the smallest with sesamol. The enhancing effect was found to be more marked in rats fed a low, as compared to a normal, α-tocopherol diet.
