title: [Vitamin A and the liver--current knowledge].
abstract: A short survey of metabolism and effects of vitamin A as well as of the role of Ito cells is presented. The Ito cells of the liver represent a special form of fibroblasts, about 80% of the vitamin A (VA) content of the normal liver is stored in these cells. Following to the absorption of VA in the intestine, VA (retinol) is transported in chylomicrons and their remnants, and taken up by hepatocytes through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Along with retinolbinding protein VA is transported from the hepatocytes to the Ito cells where is is being stored as lipid droplets. The VA content of the liver tissue in chronic, especially alcoholic liver disease is distinctly lowered. The VA deficiency of the chronic alcoholic liver disease is caused by an accelerated microsomal metabolism of VA. Furthermore, investigations elucidating the therapy of VA-deficiency in liver diseases are explained.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Hepatologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Körner
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Rath
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nilius
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000503:physiopathology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A
vernacular_title: Vitamin A und Leber--aktuelle Erkenntnisse.