Production of LLU-α Following an Oral Administration of γ-Tocotrienol or γ-Tocopherol to Rats

An oral administration of γ-tocotrienol (γ-T3) or γ-tocopherol (γ-Toc) to male rats caused an increase of the concentration of 2, 7, 8-trimethyl-2-(β-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxy chroman (LLU-α, γ-CEHC), a natriuretic compound, in plasma with a Tmax of 9 h. The configuration at C-2 of LLU-α produced from γ-T3 or γ-Toc was assigned as S-form by an HPLC equipped with a chiral column. These data indicated that LLU-α was produced not only from γ-Toc but also γ-T3, without racemization at C-2 in rats.