Alteration of the alpha-tocopherol content in the brain and peripheral nervous tissue of dysmyelinating mutants.

In the brain of quaking and shiverer mutants, vitamin E content was normal when related to both wet weight and dry weight. When related to lipid extract, phosphorus, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E was slightly increased only in the quaking mutant. In the sciatic nerve from trembler mutants, vitamin E was 134% of control values in the dry material, but normal in relation to wet weight. It was 260% in the lipid extract and 716% based on phosphorus. In relation to total fatty acids, there was a threefold increase in trembler mutants. Interestingly, it was increased approximately three times when related to 18:2 n-6, 20:4 n-6, and 20:5 n-3, and seven times when related to 22:6 n-3. The fact that the amount of vitamin E in fresh weight was normal, suggests that vitamin E plays a role in some nonmembrane material, such as the extracellular matrix or the basal lamina.