All-trans retinoyl beta-glucose: chemical synthesis, growth-promoting activity, and metabolism in the rat.

All-trans retinoyl beta-glucose was chemically synthesized in good yield by reaction of retinoyl fluoride with glucose. Retinoyl glucose, which is soluble in water, shows growth-promoting activity similar to retinyl acetate in vitamin A-deficient rats. In metabolic studies, retinoyl glucose was found to be hydrolyzed to retinoic acid, but at a slower rate. The possible therapeutic uses of retinoyl glucose are discussed.