Significance of Vitamin A Alcohol and Ester Partitioning under Normal and Pathologic Circumstances.

Abstract

Plasma vit. A esters rise markedly after oral admn. of vit. A. They are elevated significantly in nephrosis, and slightly and irregularly in hepatic impairment. The plasma vit. A alcohol (difference between total vit. A and the esters) level does not change after ingestion of vit. A, but is elevated in nephritis and sometimes in recovery from conditions associated with hypovitaminosis A. It is significantly decreased in malnutrition, infections, hepatic and wasting diseases, apparently because of storage in and release from the liver.