Action of Vitamin a on Liver Homogenate Oxidation of Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Intermediates

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency in young male albino rats results in a markedly elevated rate of oxidation of pyruvate, citrate, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, glutamate and fumarate, but not β-hydroxybutyrate and caprylate by liver homogenates. This effect was not observed with kidney or heart preparations and it was not due to reduced food consumption. The administration of vitamin A to deficient animals reduced the oxidation rates to normal values within 48 hours.