Effects of vitamin E on the function of histohematic barriers of endocrine glands in animals of different age groups

Abstract

The age- and gender-specific features of the permeability of the histohematic barriers (HHB) of the thyroid, adrenals, and gonads were studied during exogenous administration of different doses of vitamin E into 169 albino rats. The neutral red dye was used as an indicator of HHB permeability. The findings were statistically processed and analyzed, using Student's t test at least 95% confidence interval. The study has established that the protective function of HHB of the endocrine glands decreases with age. The administration of vitamin E can enhance the protective functions of the barriers, but its effect depends on the dose of the antioxidant and on the sex and age of an animal. Vitamin E produced a more marked protective effect when given in a dose of 1 mg per 100 g body mass in young animals and in a dose of 2 mg per 100 g body mass in old ones. Increasing the dose of vitamin E up to 2 mg per 100 g body mass in young animals leads to its lowered protective effect, in females in particular. The findings should be taken into account when antioxidants are used in biology and medicine.