Distribution of vitamin A in various organs of rats in relation to the quality and the quantity of dietary proteins.

The influence of the quality and the quantity of dietary proteins on the distribution of a single massive dose of vitamin A in various organs of growing Wistar strain rats has been studied by using casein and bengal gram diets at 20% and 10% protein levels. The distribution of [3H]-retinyl acetate in various tissues was also investigated in these dietary conditions. The results show that the hepatic storage of dietary as well as a single massive dose (20,000 I.U.) of vitamin A was profoundly decreased in the rats fed on bengal gram diets as compared to those fed on casein diets. Regardless of hepatic stores, the plasma vitamin A levels were comparable in all the groups. Feeding of low quality of protein reduced the tissue distribution of [3H]-retinyl acetate in control as well as rats given a massive dose of vitamin A. This study suggests that both the poor quality and the inadequate quantity of dietary protein are detrimental influences on the vitamin A status of the growing rats.