[Vitamin A absorption test. II. Diseases of the liver, the extrahepatic biliary system and the stomach (author's transl)].

It is reported on the estimation of the vitamin A absorption test in 17 patients with chronic liver diseases, 26 patients with diseases of the extrahepatic biliary system, and in 12 patients with diseases of the stomach. In the latter there are no changes in the vitamin A test. On the contrary patients with diseases of the liver and biliary system show differences in the serum vitamin A levels. A separate consideration of active liver cirrhosis and active cholangitis indicates individualities in the constellation of the 3 and 6 hour values after vitamin A ingestion: in liver cirrhosis the first value is normal while the 6 hour value seems significant lowered so that the maximum vitamin A concentration is found near 3 hours. In active cholangitis both values are reduced, the first one more than the second one. The reason is to be seen in a decrease of the conjugated bile acids, whereas in the group of liver diseases an interpretation is somewhat problematic. It is to discuss whether these results depend on the development of portal hypertension, while the intestinal absorption seems normal and liver damage only of secondary importance. The fact that this test is influenced by diseases of the liver and biliary system shortens its significance as a screening test for malabsorption or maldigestion though a further differentiation between sprue and pancreatic insufficiency seems possible.