Intestinal absorption of tocopherols in homozygous beta-thalassemia. A study of twenty patients

Fat, xylose and vitamin E absorption was studied in twenty homozygous beta-thalasemic patients with low tocopherol levels. While fat and xylose absorption was normal, vitamin E absorption was decreased in comparison to normal controls. The oral administration of tocopherol in eight of twenty patients studied failed to increase the serum vitamin E levels. On the other hand, an increase was found in five patients in whom vitamin E was administrated parenterally. The results of this study show that vitamin E malabsorption is present in homozygous beta-thalassemic patients. This could explain at least in part, their low serum and erythrocyte levels and the increased lipid membrane per oxidation with consequent hyperhemolysis.