Recent advances in nutrition and metabolism. II. Review of the literature on vitamins, 1952.

Abstract

A SMALL monograph entitled Present Knowledge in Nutrition has been published recently. 1 This should prove a most useful reference; sections dealing with calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals, and vitamins are included. VITAMIN A Cama and associates * reported further studies of the characteristics of vitamin A and related compounds. Kaiser and Kagan 6 have described a technique for the determination of vitamin A in feces. Prolonged administration of quinacrine (Atabrine) to rats was found to result in damage to the liver and impairment of the ability of this organ to store vitamin A. Absorption of vitamin A and carotene was depressed by the drug. 7 The administration of excessive amounts of vitamin A to rats and other animals accelerates the growth and maturation of epiphyseal cartilage cells and the remodeling process which accompanies bone growth. Such effects are suggestive of hormonal action, possibly that of the anterior pituitary. However, studies