title: Hypovitaminemia A in idiopathic hemochromatosis and hepatic cirrhosis. Role of retinol-binding protein and zinc.
abstract: Serum levels of vitamin A, its specific carrier protein retinol-binding protein (RBP), and zinc were determined in 34 cases of idiopathic hemochromatosis, 33 cases of alcoholic cirrhosis, 10 cases of non-alcoholic cirrhosis, and in 35 normal controls. In both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis, vitamin A and RBP levels were very significantly reduced, whereas a significantly low zinc was observed only in the alcoholic cirrhosis group. In idiopathic hemochromatosis, vitamin A values were significantly lower compared to normals, whereas serum RBP levels were normal and serum zinc was very close to that of the controls. A significant correlation was found between vitamin A and RBP levels in the entire group of 112 patients. These results, (1) in alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis, confirm a dramatic vitamin A deficiency and the major role played by decreased RBP, but tend to deemphasize the possible role of zinc deficiency; (2) in idiopathic hemochromatosis, affirm a significant serum vitamin A deficiency supposedly by a different mechanism from that of alcoholic cirrhosis since in idiopathic hemochromatosis plasma RBP levels are normal. The role of this vitamin A disorder should be considered in the interpretation of clinical signs of idiopathic hemochromatosis such as ichthyosis and visual disorders.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011485:Protein Binding; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc