The effect of acute hepatic injury on the disposition of vitamin A in the rat.

The distribution of vitamin A was measured in various body fluids and tissues in rats with carbon tetrachloride induced acute liver injury compared to vehicle treated controls. All rats received 25,000u of retinol palmitate intraperitoneally 24 hr prior to study and 50,000u on the day of the study. Rats with liver injury had significant elevations of unesterified retinol in plasma and saliva, and significant elevations of retinol palmitate in plasma, urine, and kidney. Also, liver disease caused a significant decrease in the liver concentration of retinol palmitate, and a significant decrease in the bile and kidney levels of unesterified retinol. These results suggest that redistribution of vitamin A from liver to other areas occurs after acute liver injury in rats. Also, increased levels of vitamin A in urine, saliva or plasma may be a noninvasive marker for liver injury in man after vitamin A challenge.