Serum Retinol Levels Research Articles

Serum Retinol Concentrations in Hospitalized Severe Protein-energy Malnourished Children

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major nutritional problem in many developing countries. Vitamin A status has been reported to be adversely affected in protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). To assess and compare serum retinol concentrations in hospitalized children with severe PEM and normal ones. A prospective series of 34 malnourished and 29 normal control children, <60 months old, hospitalized at IMIP, Recife-PE were recruited for the study between August 2004 and May 2005. Serum retinol level was assayed by high performance liquid chromatography and concentrations adjusted for presence of inflammation as evidenced by levels of C-reactive protein. Blood retinol level was compared according to nutritional status (severe PEM versus normal), gender, age, maternal schooling, family income, breastfeeding practice, residence and perceived morbidity. The prevalence of low serum retinol (<0.70 micromol l(-1)) was 41.2% in children with severe PEM and 24.1% in normal children. Serum retinol concentrations were lower in children whose mothers had low schooling (p = 0.025) and families with low per capita income (p = 0.049), regardless of their nutritional status. Serum retinol concentrations had similar distribution between children with severe PEM and normal, when adjusted for gender (p > 0.05), age (p > 0.05), maternal schooling (p > 0.05), family income (p > 0.05), breastfeeding practice (p > 0.05) and residence (p > 0.05). However, malnourished children with diarrhoea showed lower serum retinol concentrations (p = 0.021) compared to those without diarrhoea. VAD was prevalent in hospitalized children with severe PEM and also among normal ones although in lesser magnitude. Intervention for prevention and control of deficiency of vitamin A are recommended in settings where diarrhea is endemic and there are unfavorable socio-economical conditions.

Inappropriate serum levels of retinol, α-tocopherol, 25 hydroxyvitamin D 3 and 24,25 dihydroxyvitamin D 3 levels in healthy Spanish adults: Simultaneous assessment by HPLC

Objective Simultaneous assessment of the status of lipid-soluble vitamins; retinol, α-tocopherol, 25 hydroxyvitamin D 3 and 24,25 dihydroxyvitamin D 3 in serum of blood donors, paradigm of a healthy population. Patients and methods Serum samples were supplied by the Regional Blood Donors Center in Cordoba from 215 healthy Spanish individuals (166 males and 99 females). Target analytes were determined using liquid–liquid extraction and separation–detection by HPLC. Results The method was validated using standard reference material (SRM 968c, NIST). Standard errors were 1.4%, 2.1% and 1.8% for 25OHD 3, vitamin A and vitamin E, respectively. The ranges thus assessed were as follows: 17.1 ± 8.0 nmol/L, for 24,25(OH) 2D 3, 40.3 ± 34.6 nmol/L for 25OHD 3, 2.57 ± 0.7 μmol/L for retinol and 22.13 ± 8.30 μmol/L for α-tocopherol. Females showed lower serum levels of retinol ( p < 0.01), α-tocopherol ( p < 0.01) and 25OHD 3 ( p = 0.028). A total of 10.4% subjects showed vitamin E deficiency, 85.4% had normal levels and 4.2% had high levels of vitamin E. 65.6% of the target subjects showed normal levels of retinol, and 1.6% had moderate or severe vitamin A deficiency. High levels of vitamin A were found in 32.8% of the subjects. Fourteen percent of the healthy subjects showed severe vitamin D deficiency (serum levels of 25OHD 3 < 25 nmol/L), 50.8% had vitamin D 3 insufficiency (25OHD 3 from 25 to 50 nmol/L), 17.6% of the subjects had suboptimal 25OHD 3 serum levels (25OHD 3 from 50 to 75 nmol/L), only 16.8% had an adequate status of 25OHD 3 and 0.8% had high levels of vitamin D (25OHD 3 > 200 nmol/L). Among subjects with vitamin D below 50 nmol/L, 49.38% had high levels of retinol (over 2.4 μmol/L). This association is considered a risk factor for osteoporosis and fracture. Conclusions The reported data of high prevalence of lipid-soluble vitamin values outside the physiological range have important repercussions on public health. These data also uphold the need for simultaneous measurement of fat-soluble vitamins as a valuable tool in clinical practice as well as in epidemiological studies for awareness and correction.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Overweight Children and its Relationship with Retinol Serum Levels

To evaluate the frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the retinol serum levels, lipid profile, and insulin resistance in overweight/obese children. To relate these biochemical variables with the risk of this disease in the population studied. The study was cross-sectional and prospective, with 46 overweight/obese school children (28 female, 18 male; mean age 8.6 years). The control group consisted of 45 children, paired by age and gender. Hepatic steatosis, evaluated by ultrasound, was classified as normal, mild, moderate, or severe. Also evaluated were serum retinol levels; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; lipid profile; and fasting glucose and serum insulin levels, used for the calculation of the Homeostasis Model Assessment. Hepatic ultrasound alterations were found in 56.5% and 48,9% of the overweight/obese and control group children, respectively. Presence of obesity was associated with high levels of triglycerides (OR = 4.6; P = 0.002). In the studied children, the risk of steatosis was related to a trend to a higher percentage of retinol inadequacy (OR = 2.8; p = 0.051); there was no association with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid profile, or insulin resistance. The high frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in both groups, evaluated by hepatic ultrasound, in low-socioeconomic level children, independent of nutritional condition and without significant association with insulin resistance, emphasizes that especially in developing countries, other risk factors such as micronutrient deficiencies (e.g. vitamin A) are involved.

Effects of Vitamin A, Vitamin A plus Iron and Multiple Micronutrient-Fortified Seasoning Powder on Preschool Children in a Suburb of Chongqing, China

Preschool children in developing countries are likely to have multiple, concurrent micronutrient deficiencies. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of different combinations of nutritional fortified diet to improve the blood levels of iron, vitamin A and other essential micronutrients in the preschool population of Banan District of Chongqing, China. From December 2005 to June 2006, a total of 226 2-6 y old preschool children were recruited from three nurseries in the area, and they were randomly assigned to three different fortified diet groups for 6 mo. Group I was fortified with vitamin A; groups II and III were fortified with vitamin A plus iron and vitamin A plus iron, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, niacinamide, zinc and calcium, respectively. Subjects' weight and height were measured for assessing the children's growth and development. Blood samples were taken at the beginning and the end of the 6-mo study period for measuring serum levels of micronutrients. Group III with the multiple micronutrient fortified diet was the most effective to improve the serum level of retinol from [media (P25, P75): 1.06 (0.89, 1.32)] micromol/L to 1.29 (1.04, 1.39) micromol/L (p<0.05) and retinol binding protein from 17.0 (12.6, 25.6) mg/L to 31.6 (24.4, 44.0) mg/L (p<0.05) and to mobilize the stored iron in the liver (p<0.05). In addition, the three groups' hemoglobin levels were elevated from 117.0 (109.0, 124.1) g/L, 114.0 (109.2, 119.7) g/L and 115.0 (109.5, 122.7) g/L to 125.7 (119.2, 133.1) g/L, 126.5 (122.2, 135.9) g/L and 125.1 (119.8, 131.6) g/L over the 6 mo of intervention period, but there were no difference among the three groups (p>0.05). Nevertheless, unexpected results were obtained when comparing the effects on growth status among the different supplement groups. Our study has demonstrated that a multiple micronutrient fortified diet for 6 mo is more effective to improve the levels of hemoglobin, serum retinol, and RBP as well as to facilitate the mobilization of iron storage in preschool children.

Reduction of micronuclei in oral lichen planus supplemented with beta-carotene

An elevated frequency of micronucleated exfoliated cells (MEC) in atrophic and erosive oral lichen planus (OLP) has been reported. To evaluate the effects of supplemental beta-carotene (BC) on MEC frequency in OLP lesions, we performed an open trial in 20 patients with atrophic and/or erosive OLP. Each patient received 15 mg of BC four times daily for 3 months. The frequency of MEC in both lesions and adjacent normal mucosa in each patient was evaluated and compared before and after supplementation. Serum levels of BC and retinol were also determined. After BC supplementation, all patients had higher levels of serum BC and retinol. The MEC frequency in OLP lesions was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). No significant changes were seen in the MEC frequency in adjacent normal mucosa. BC supplementation thus significantly reduces MEC frequency in atrophic and erosive OLP.

High levels of oxidative stress in patients with advanced lung cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate oxidative stress status in different stages and histological types of lung cancer. Forty-nine lung cancer patients, who had not received any therapy, and 20 healthy subjects were chosen for the study. Lung cancer patients were divided into those with early stage or advanced stage disease. The tumour type was adenocarcinoma in 24 patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 21 and large cell carcinoma in four. We measured serum nitrite, nitrate, ascorbic acid, retinol, beta-carotene and ceruloplasmin levels, and whole-blood malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione levels and catalase activity in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma and healthy subjects. Statistically significant differences between the patient group and the control group were detected for all biochemical parameters. Mean malondialdehyde, nitrite, nitrate and ceruloplasmin levels and catalase activity were significantly higher in the group with advanced stage disease than in the control group. Mean beta-carotene, ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione levels were significantly lower in the group with advanced stage disease than in the control group. Mean malondialdehyde and nitrite levels were significantly higher in the patients with squamous cell carcinoma than in those with adenocarcinoma, and mean malondialdehyde level was also significantly higher in patients with squamous cell carcinoma than in those with large cell carcinoma. These results suggest that with advancing stage of lung cancer, the levels of oxidative stress increase, while levels of antioxidant molecules decrease. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma have higher oxidative stress as reflected by higher levels of malondialdehyde and nitrite.

Zinc serum levels and their association with vitamin A deficiency in preschool children

To identify the prevalence of zinc deficiency in a population with high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency; to verify whether zinc deficiency is associated with vitamin A deficiency in the population studied; to verify risk factors for zinc deficiency (sex, age, diarrhea and fever). Cross-sectional study of 182 healthy children aged > or = 24 months and < 72 months. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from fasting children to determine zinc serum levels. Information about presence of diarrhea and/or fever during the 15 days preceding the study was also obtained. Vitamin A deficiency was identified by a serum 30-day dose-response test (+S30DR). Of the children studied, 0.5% (1/182) presented zinc serum levels < 65 microg/dL; however, 74.7% (136/182) of them had vitamin A deficiency. Zinc serum levels were not correlated with retinol serum levels. Zinc serum levels were not changed by previous diarrhea and/or fever. There was no difference in zinc levels between boys and girls. Children aged between > or = 48 and < 60 months tended to have lower zinc serum levels than children of other ages. Zinc deficiency prevalence was low and did not represent a risk factor for vitamin A deficiency. Children aged between > or = 48 and < 60 months tended to have lower zinc serum levels than children of other ages. Zinc serum levels were not changed by previous diarrhea and/or fever.

Impact of Synthetic Vitamin A and Horticulture Intervention on Vitamin A Status and Iron Status of Rural School Children

The investigation focused on vitamin A status, Iron status and impact of synthetic and horticulture intervention on vitamin A status and iron status. Vitamin A status of 153 school children of Dharwad taluk was assessed by biochemical analysi s. Children with serum retinol level less than 20 µg/100ml were included in intervention study. Children from group-1 formed the control, a single massive oral dose of 2,00,000 IU of vitamin A was given to group-II, horticultural intervention was given to group-III daily for 3 months, where standardized recipes (fenugreek chapathi, drumstick leaves chapathi and carrot bhaji) met day's vitamin A allowance (2400 µg/day). Serum retinol level and haemoglobin levels, were recorded before and after supplementation period. Both synthetic vitamin A and horticulture intervention improved the serum retinol and haemoglobin level. The synthetic supplementation showed high increment value for serum retinol level compared to horticulture supplementation group. Nevertheless, the increment value for haemoglobin level was high in horticulture intervention group. Horticulture intervention is cost effective, long-term, natural and sustainable strategy to solve existing vitamin A deficiency problem.

Spezifische pharmakodynamische Interaktion zwischen Atovaquon und Retinol bei Plasmodium falciparum

The study has been conducted with the objective of assessing the blood schizontocidal activities of atovaquone (ATO), retinol (RET) and combinations of both (ATO-RET) at set retinol concentrations corresponding to the 50th, 65th and 80th percentile of the physiological serum retinol levels. The in vitro tests followed the WHO standard protocol Mark II for measuring the inhibition of schizont maturation in Plasmodium falciparum. Valid results for all 5 test lines were obtained with 26 fresh parasite isolates from northwestern Thailand, an area affected by multidrug-resistance. The EC(50) values for atovaquone, retinol and for ATO in ATO-RET low, medium and high were 3.1 nM, 561.8nM, 0.85 nM, 0.73 nM and 0.45 nM, respectively, the EC(90) values 33.7 nM, 9338.6 nM, 25.31 nM, 8.89 nM, and 5.42 nM. The geometric mean cut-off concentrations of schizont maturation of atovaquone alone and for atovaquone in ATO-RET low, medium and high were 282.5 nM, 79.0 nM, 38.7 nM and 23.7 nM, respectively. These results and those of the Berenbaum analysis based on the fractional inhibitory concentrations indicate synergistic pharmacodynamic interaction between atovaquone and retinol, a phenomenon suggesting that the antimalarial activity of atovaquone could be enhanced by supplementation with retinol.

The survey of serum retinol of the children aged 0~4 years in Zhejiang Province, China

BackgroundVitamin A can have a positive impact on growth and development of children, but vitamin A deficiency (VAD) was found to be a public health problem in Zhejiang Province, China in 1998. There have been no studies on this topic in Zhejiang Province recently. This study was designed to evaluate the serum retinol levels of children aged 0~4 years in Zhejiang Province, southeast China. This epidemiological data will help design supplementation strategies for vitamin A in high-risk groups and improve their vitamin A status.MethodsChildren were randomly recruited for this study using a stratified sampling method. A blood sample was collected from each child. Assessment included C-reactive protein (CRP), serum retinol was measured with HPLC and a questionnaire completed providing for family information and nutritional status. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors for VAD in children.ResultsA group of 357 subjects aged 1 day to 4 years were recruited. The mean plasma retinol concentration was 1.653 (sd 0.47) μmol/L. There were 3.08% (11/357) of children affected with VAD, and 7.28% (26/357) of children had low vitamin A status, but none of the children showed any clinical symptoms of VAD. There was no significant difference in the levels of plasma retinol and the incidence rate of VAD between male and female children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that living in urban region, having parents with good education and taking vitamin A capsule regularly prevented children from VAD, whereas being young (less than 2 years old) was a risk factor.ConclusionLow vitamin A status remains a nutritional problem in Zhejiang Province. The high-risk group in this study were young, dwelled in rural regions, had parents with poor education and did not take a regular vitamin A containing supplement.

Vitamin A intake and elevated serum retinol levels in children and young adults with cystic fibrosis

Background Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency (PI) are at risk for fat-soluble vitamin deficiency, including vitamin A. Recent evidence suggests current practices of vitamin A intake results in elevated serum retinol. Methods Serum retinol was assessed in 78 subjects (8 to 25 years old) with CF and PI by high performance liquid chromatography, and compared to the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data of subjects of similar age and gender. Vitamin A intake, anthropometry and FEV 1 were measured, and their relationship to serum retinol status was assessed. Results Median (range) serum retinol was 80 μg/dL (33 to 208) in subjects with CF; 58% were above the NHANES reference range (30 to 72 μg/dL). Total vitamin A intake from diet and supplements was high (608 + 431% Recommended Dietary Allowance). Serum retinol was not correlated with vitamin A intake, age or gender, and was inversely correlated with weight and height z scores (r = − 0.28, p < 0.05) in the subjects with CF. Conclusions Both vitamin A intake and serum retinol were elevated in subjects with CF and PI, corroborating recent evidence of elevated serum retinol in preadolescent children with CF. These findings indicate the need for further study of dosing and monitoring care practices of vitamin A, to ensure adequacy and to avoid toxicity.

Systemic levels of carotenoids from mangoes and papaya consumed in three forms (juice, fresh and dry slice)

Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in Cameroon. Data on the bioavailability of carotenoid in fruits currently consumed in Cameroon are scarce. To assess the systemic levels of carotenoids from mangoes and papaya consumed as juice, fresh or dried slices. Two groups of seven healthy volunteers (24 and 25 years of age; body mass index: 21 and 22 kg/m(2) respectively for subjects fed mango and papaya), were submitted to three types of meal treatments (juice, fresh and dried fruit). On the experiment day, meals served to fasting subjects during breakfast, included bread, yogurt and one of the three forms of fruit. All the treatments lasted only one day during which blood samples were collected three times; during fasting (T(0)), 4 h (T(4)) and 8 h (T(8)) after the test meal. The carotenoids and retinol contents were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography method. From the major carotenoids present in papaya and mangoes, lutein, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene were found in considerable amounts. Lycopene and cryptoxanthin that were the major carotenoids in papaya samples appeared in low amounts in the chylomicrons. Significant correlations were observed between these carotenoids (at T(0), T(4) and T(8)). The three forms of consumption contributed to the rise of serum retinol levels. A comparison between the three forms revealed that papaya and mangoes consumed in form of juice or fresh fruit are the best forms because they had higher bioavailability values. Association of these different forms of consumptions could lead to a better availability of these fruits throughout the year and therefore efficiently contribute to improve vitamin A status of the population.

Nutritional Status of Vitamin A in Morbid Obesity before and after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The objective of the present study was to identify the factors which contribute to the appearance and/or aggravation of Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) in individuals with morbid obesity in the pre- and postoperative stages of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). Bibliography searches were done in the data-bases of Medline and Lilacs, published in the last 35 years, priorizing the studies which assessed VAD through serum levels of retinol. The principal factors identified as contributors to VAD were oxidative stress, deficiency of other nutrients, lipid malabsorption in the postoperative stage, insufficient intake of lipids and food sources of Vitamin A, and presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The investigation of the nutritional status of Vitamin A in those individuals may foment intervention strategies easily incorporated in already established routine procedures, aiming to reduce VAD rates, which will reflect upon those individuals' quality of life.

Impacto da suplementação com retinil palmitato no pós-parto imediato sobre os níveis de retinol do colostro

To assess the effect of retinyl palmitate supplementation on colostrum retinol levels, investigating the influence of maternal variables (age, type of delivery, and biochemical nutritional status) on these levels. The study included 33 mothers receiving care at the Januário Cicco Maternity School, in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. In the first hours after delivery, blood and colostrum samples were collected. Another colostrum sample was collected six hours after maternal supplementation with 200,000 IU of retinyl palmitate. Serum and colostrum retinol levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The mean retinol level in colostrum before the supplementation was 110.8 +/- 82.3 microg/dL, and after supplementation it was 164.4 +/- 106.5 microg/dL (P < 0.025). Of the 33 mothers, 12 of them either did not respond to supplementation or had an increase of less than 10% in colostrum retinol levels; serum retinol in these women was significantly lower as compared to the responders (P = 0.024). In comparison to women with a normal delivery, the mothers who underwent cesarean delivery (64%) had lower serum retinol levels, but not lower colostrum retinol levels (P = 0.036). Maternal age did not influence retinol levels in either serum or colostrum. The increase in colostrum retinol levels following vitamin A supplementation was sufficient to guarantee double the retinol requirements of a newborn infant.

Assessment of vitamin A nutritional status in newborn preterm infants

Objective This study assessed the vitamin A nutritional status of preterm infants determined by the vitamin A relative dose-response test (RDR) compared with serum levels of vitamin A, retinol-binding protein (RBP), transthyretin (TTR), and retinol relations with carrier proteins. Methods Serum levels of retinol, RBP, and TTR and retinol/RBP, retinol/TTR, and RBP/TTR molar ratios were determined in 120 infants at 7 d and in 92 at 28 d. For the determination of the performance of the tests, the RDR was considered the reference method. The sensitivity and specificity for all possible cutoff values were determined by constructing receiver operator characteristic curves. The areas under the curves were used to estimate the overall accuracy of the tests. The best cutoff values to be used for the calculation of sensitivity and specificity were determined with 95% confidence intervals. Results RDR indicated vitamin A deficiency in 60% of the infants at 7 d and in 51.1% at 28 d. In the receiver operator characteristic curves, the best area under the curve was 0.710 obtained for serum retinol at 28 d of postnatal age and considered moderately accurate. The least inadequate cutoff level was set at 25 mg/dL, but no value was considered adequate due to low sensitivity and/or low specificity. Conclusion Compared with RDR, the determination of serum levels of retinol, RBP, and TTR and their molar ratios are not adequate to assess nutritional vitamin A status in preterm infants.

Influence of inflammation on serum retinol levels in gastroenterological surgical patients.

Influence of inflammation on serum retinol levels in gastroenterological surgical patients.

Serum Retinol and β-Carotene Levels in Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Reduced serum levels of vitamin A affect morbidity and mortality in measles. The authors' newly diagnosed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (n = 21) and age-matched control groups (n = 20) had mean serum beta-carotene levels of 1.12 +/- 0.56 and 1.50 +/- 0.52 microg/mL, respectively. Serum retinol <20 microg/dL was observed in 6 of 21 subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and 0 of 20 control cases (P < .05). Vitamin A deficiency can accompany subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: its contribution to the pathogenesis or course of the disease warrants further investigations.

Post-Therapy Profile of Serum Total Cholesterol, Retinol and Zinc in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Objective: To assess serum albumin, total cholesterol, retinol, zinc and hemoglobin in children who had completed treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).Methods: The above parameters were analyzed in 105 ALL and NHL and 108 age and sex-matched controls. Serum albumin, serum cholesterol and hemoglobin were estimated by colorimetric methods. Serum retinol was estimated by HPLC and serum zinc was estimated by atomic emission spectrophotometer (ICP-AES). Comparisons were made to stage of treatment (maintenance 6 with post-therapy), type of treatment (chemotherapy and radiation with only chemotherapy) and type of malignancy (ALL with NHL).Results: Only serum albumin in patients included at Maintenance6 was significantly higher (t = 2.31, p = 0.05) than post-therapy patients. No significant difference in serum values was observed by type of treatment. Only total cholesterol was significantly higher in NHL patients than in ALL patients (t = 1.954, p = 0.05). Patients had comparable serum levels to that of controls. However, in patients and controls more than 75% children had deficient serum retinol levels, (< than 0.6989 μmol/l, or 20 μg/dl). Further, 75% patients and 54.7% controls had serum retinol levels less than 0.3439 μmol/l or 10 μg/dl.Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that cancer and its treatment did not have any long-lasting effect on serum albumin, total cholesterol, retinol, zinc and hemoglobin. Majority of subjects had low serum retinol suggestive of depleted liver reserves. The deficient serum retinol levels (< than 0.6989 μmol/l, or 20 μg/dl) in at least 75% of the patients and controls probably reflect poor dietary intake. A higher percentage of patients with low serum retinol levels may also be attributed to the possibility of urinary losses of retinol that occur during episodes of infection while on immunosuppressive anti-cancer drug therapy.

Deficient serum retinol levels in HIV-infected and uninfected patients with tuberculosis in Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate serum levels of vitamin A in patients with active tuberculosis (TB) at the time of diagnosis and after completion of an intensive phase of anti-TB chemotherapy in comparison with the levels in controls. In a prospective semilongitudinal study, sera were collected from 222 patients with TB at baseline and from 57 of them 2 months after initiation of the anti-TB treatment in Gondar, Ethiopia. Healthy controls (n = 92) and asymptomatic HIV-infected blood donors (n = 30) were also included. Serum vitamin A levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. At baseline, the mean serum vitamin A levels in the patients with TB with (n = 115) or without (n = 107) HIV coinfection and in the asymptomatic HIV-infected blood donors were significantly lower than those in the controls ( P μ mol/L) was observed in 62.6% and 56.1% of the patients with and without HIV coinfection, respectively. Thirteen percent of the controls and 33.3% of the asymptomatic HIV-infected blood donors were deficient in vitamin A. The serum levels of vitamin A increased significantly after anti-TB chemotherapy both in patients with (n = 34) and without (n = 23) HIV coinfection ( P

Disturbance of retinol transportation causes nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lung

Purpose Retinoids play a key role in lung development. Recent studies suggest that retinoid signalling pathway may be disrupted in the nitrofen model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), but the exact mechanism is not clearly understood. We hypothesized that nitrofen interferes with cellular uptake of retinol during lung morphogenesis and therefore designed this study to examine total retinol levels in lung, liver, and serum, and the gene expression of main components of the retinoid pathway in the nitrofen model of CDH. Methods Pregnant rats were exposed to vehicle or 100 mg of nitrofen on day 9 of gestation. Term fetuses were divided in control and nitrofen with CDH and without CDH groups. Retinol levels in serum, lungs, and liver were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the relative amount of cellular retinol-biding protein I, retinal dehydrogenase 1a2 and 1a3 (Aldh1a2 and Aldh1a3), retinoic acid receptors α and β (RAR α, RAR β), and retinoid X receptor α (RXR α) expression in the lung. Results Total retinol levels in the lungs were significantly lower in both nitrofen with CDH (1.78 ± 0.37 μg/g) and nitrofen without CDH (1.61 ± 0.24 μg/g) groups compared with controls (2.43 ± 0.31 μg/g) ( P < .001), whereas serum retinol levels were significantly higher in nitrofen with and without CDH groups (0.77 ± 0.13 and 0.75 ± 0.11 μg/g, respectively) compared with controls (0.58 ± 0.12 μg/g) ( P < .001). There was no significant difference in liver retinol levels between the 3 groups. Relative expression of cellular retinol-biding protein I, Aldh1a3, RAR α, RAR β, and RXR α were significantly up-regulated in the lungs of the nitrofen with CDH group (0.70 ± 0.15, 3.94 ± 0.91, 2.15 ± 0.47, 3.49 ± 1.00, 1.88 ± 0.42, respectively) and the nitrofen without CDH group (0.61 ± 0.14, 3.72 ± 0.31, 1.66 ± 0.20, 3.28 ± 1.02, 1.38 ± 0.24, respectively) compared with controls (0.43 ± 0.11, 2.71 ± 0.47, 0.79 ± 0.42, 1.85 ± 0.69, 0.57 ± 0.22, respectively) ( P < .05). Conclusion Our data clearly show that lung retinol storage is decreased in the nitrofen model of CDH. The associated increase in gene expressions of most downstream components of the retinoid signalling pathway may be a feedback reaction to the deficiency of lung retinol. These results suggest that nitrofen acts by interfering with the cellular uptake of retinol during lung morphogenesis resulting in pulmonary hypoplasia in this model.