The effects of diseases of the liver, thyroid, and kidneys on the transport of vitamin A in human plasma

Abstract

ABS TR A CT The effects of diseases of the liver, the thyroid, and the kidneys on the retinol-binding protein (RBP)-prealbumin (PA) system responsible for the transport of vitamin A in plasma were examined, using a radial gel diffusion immunoassay for PA and the previously described radioimmunoassay for RBP. Mea- surements were made on plasma samples from 118 nor- mal subjects, 31 patients with cirrhosis, 5 with chronic active hepatitis, 27 with acute viral hepatitis, 14 patients with hyperthyroidism, 7 with hypothyroidism, and 26 patients with chronic renal disease of varying etiologies. In the patients with liver disease, the levels of vitamin A, RBP, and PA were all markedly decreased and were highly significantly correlated over a wide range of con- centrations. Serial samples were available in 19 patients with acute hepatitis; as the disease improved the plasma concentrations of vitamin A, RBP, and PA all increased.