The Journal of Nutrition Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions
Vitamin A Supplementation Transiently Increases Retinol Concentrations in Extrahepatic Organs of Neonatal Rats Raised under Vitamin A–Marginal Conditions1–3 Joanna K Hodges, Libo Tan,4 Michael H Green, and A Catharine Ross* Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Abstract Background: Vitamin A (VA; retinol) supplementation is recommended for children aged >6 mo in countries with high rates of malnutrition, but the distribution and retention of VA in body tissues have not been extensively explored. Objective: We sought to determine the distribution and retention of VA in tissues of neonatal rats raised under VA-marginal conditions. Methods: Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats (n = 104; 63 males) nursed by mothers fed a VA-marginal diet (0.35 mg retinol equivalents/kg diet) were randomized and treated on postnatal day 4 with an oral dose of either VA (6 mg retinyl palmitate/g body weight) or canola oil as control. Pups (n = 4/group) were killed at 13 time points from 30 min to 24 d after dose administration. The total retinol concentration and mass were determined in all collected organs. Results: In the control group, plasma VA was marginal (0.8 mmol/L), whereas liver VA was deficient (
Vitamin A Supplementation Transiently Increases Retinol Concentrations in Extrahepatic Organs of Neonatal Rats Raised under Vitamin A–Marginal Conditions1–3 Joanna K Hodges, Libo Tan,4 Michael H Green, and A Catharine Ross* Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Abstract Background: Vitamin A (VA; retinol) supplementation is recommended for children aged >6 mo in countries with high rates of malnutrition, but the distribution and retention of VA in body tissues have not been extensively explored. Objective: We sought to determine the distribution and retention of VA in tissues of neonatal rats raised under VA-marginal conditions. Methods: Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats (n = 104; 63 males) nursed by mothers fed a VA-marginal diet (0.35 mg retinol equivalents/kg diet) were randomized and treated on postnatal day 4 with an oral dose of either VA (6 mg retinyl palmitate/g body weight) or canola oil as control. Pups (n = 4/group) were killed at 13 time points from 30 min to 24 d after dose administration. The total retinol concentration and mass were determined in all collected organs. Results: In the control group, plasma VA was marginal (0.8 mmol/L), whereas liver VA was deficient (
