title: Retinoyl beta-glucuronide: a biologically active form of vitamin A.
abstract: Retinoyl beta-glucuronide is a naturally occurring, biologically active metabolite of vitamin A. Although retinoyl beta-glucuronide is regarded as a detoxification product of retinoic acid, it plays several roles in the functions of vitamin A. It can serve as a source of retinoic acid, and it may be a vehicle for transport of retinoic acid to target tissues. Topically applied retinoyl beta-glucuronide is comparable in efficacy to retinoic acid in the treatment of acne in humans, without the same side effects. Retinoyl beta-glucuronide may or may not be teratogenic, depending on the mode of administration and the species in which it is used. It may be a valuable therapeutic compound for the treatment of skin disorders and certain types of cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Barua
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D011247:Pregnancy; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; C026787:retinoyl glucuronide; D014212:Tretinoin