X-Message-Number: 25731
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 05:20:12 -0800 (PST)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: vitamin K blocks phenolic antioxidant toxicity

J Nutr. 1979 Mar;109(3):453-7
Preventive effects of phylloquinone on hemorrhagic death induced by
butylated hydroxytoluene in male rats.
  The effects of vitamin K on hemorrhagic death induced by dietary
butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were studied. Male Sprague-Dawley rats
were given BHT or two phenolic antioxidants (2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol
and 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone) in combination with a 24% casein basal
diet. The levels of the phenols were chosen to nearly equal LD50 (40
days). Hemorrhagic death, hemorrhage and a decrease in prothrombin index
caused by 1.20% BHT were prevented by simultaneously adding phylloquinone
(0.68 mumole/kg/day). Phylloquinone also inhibited the effect of the
related phenolic antioxidants. Ten nanomoles of phylloquinone injected
into the femoral vein on day 3 of feeding 1.2% BHT increased the
prothrombin concentration from 28% of normal to 100% of normal within 18
to 24 hours. Phylloquinone oxide also prevented hypoprothrombinemia due
to BHT. These results suggest that BHT-induced hemorrhagic death may be
caused by direct and/or indirect vitamin K deficiency, and its mechanism
may be different from those of warfarin.

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