ALPHA-TOCOPHERYL ACETATE IS A VITAMIN E COMPOUND. ABSORPTION OF ALPHA-TOCOPHERYL ACETATE FROM THE G.I. TRACT IS DEPENDENT ON THE PRESENCE OF BILE AND ON NORMAL PANCREATIC FUNCTION. THE PRIMARY ROLE OF ALPHA-TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, A FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMIN, IS THE PREVENTION OF OXIDATION OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS. IT REACTS WITH FREE RADICALS, WHICH ARE THE CAUSE OF OXIDATIVE DAMAGE TO CELL MEMBRANES, WITHOUT THE FORMATION OF ANOTHER FREE RADICAL IN THE PROCESS.