Plasma and liver concentrations of vitamin A in a normal population of urban Thai

Abstract

Vitamin A concentrations in the plasma and liver of 84 accident victims in Bangkok were determined. The group, all of whom were in apparent good health prior to the accidents, consisted of 68 males and 16 females, varied in age from 2 to 66 years, and represented a spectrum of occupations. Median and mean plasma values were 36.6 µg/100 ml and 36.2 ± 16.1 µg/100 ml, with a range from 6.8 to 82 µg/100 ml. The median, mean, and range of liver values were 89 µg/g wet tissue, 183 µg/g, and 7.5 to 3,200 µg/g, respectively. Plasma values above 10 µg/100 ml and liver stores were not at all correlated in our sample. Median and mean liver values were lowest in the 11- to 20-year age group, next lowest in the 2- to 10-year age group, and tended generally to increase with age. Median and mean plasma and liver values were also influenced by socioeconomic status, being highest in government officials and merchants and lowest in farmers and unskilled laborers. Women tended to have slightly higher plasma levels and slightly lower liver reserves than men. Median liver reserves in victims of violent confrontations (gunshot or knife wounds) tended to be higher than in persons dying in auto accidents or by electrocution, which, in turn, were higher than in victims of self-inflicted or solitary accidents. Only one of 79 persons older than 10 years of age had liver reserves less than 10 µg/g, and none of the 5 children less than 10 years of age had liver values less than 20 µg/g. We concluded that the vitamin A status of the urban Thai is quite satisfactory, although some attention should probably be given to improving the vitamin A nutriture of young people in the city under 20 years of age. Because vitamin A deficiency is still found in Thailand, we wish to stress that this survey is not representative of the country as a whole.