Cluster-determinant 36 (CD36) impacts on vitamin E postprandial response

Scope: A single nucleotide polymorphism in the cluster determinant 36 (CD36) gene has recently been associated with plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration, suggesting a possible role of this protein in vitamin E intestinal absorption or tissue uptake. Methods and results: To investigate the involvement of CD36 in vitamin E transport, we first evaluated the effect of CD36 on alpha- and gamma-tocopherol transmembrane uptake and efflux using transfected HEK cells. gamma-Tocopherol postprandial response was then assessed in CD36-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice, after the mice had been fully characterized for their alpha -tocopherol, vitamin A and lipid plasma, and tissue contents. Both alpha- and gamma-tocopherol uptake was significantly increased in cells overexpressing CD36 compared with control cells. Compared with wild-typemice, CD36-deficient mice displayed a significantly decreased cholesterol hepatic concentration, and males exhibited significantly higher triacylglycerol contents in liver, brain, heart, and muscle. Although tissue alpha -tocopherol concentration after adjustment for lipid content was not modified, gamma-tocopherol postprandial response was significantly increased in CD36-deficient mice compared with controls, likely reflecting the postprandial hypertriglyceridemia observed in these mice. Conclusion: Our findings show for the first time that CD36 participates-directly or indirectly-in vitamin E uptake, and that CD36 effect on postprandial lipid metabolism in turn modifies vitamin E postprandial response.