Search resultsThe adverse effects of alcohol on vitamin A metabolism
Title
The adverse effects of alcohol on vitamin A metabolism
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2012
Authors
Journal
Nutrients
Volume
4
Issue
5
Pagination
356 - 371
Date published
2012
ISBN
20726643 (ISSN)
Keywords
adverse outcome, alcohol, alcohol consumption, alcohol dehydrogenase, Alcohol Drinking, alcohol intoxication, Alcoholism, Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Animalia, Animals, beta carotene, Central Nervous System Depressants, cytochrome P450, cytochrome P450 2E1, enzyme activity, Ethanol, Hepatic stellate cell, Hepatocyte, Humans, Liver, liver cell carcinoma, Liver Diseases, Alcoholic, liver fibrosis, liver injury, liver level, long term exposure, metabolic balance, Mice, nonhuman, oxidation kinetics, Papio, protein hydrolysis, Rats, retinoic acid, retinoid, Retinoids, retinol, retinol deficiency, retinol ester, Retinyl ester, retinyl palmitate esterase, review, stellate cell, Vitamin A, Vitamin A Deficiency, vitamin blood level, vitamin metabolism, vitamin supplementation
Abstract
The objective of this review is to explore the relationship between alcohol and the metabolism of the essential micronutrient, vitamin A; as well as the impact this interaction has on alcohol-induced disease in adults. Depleted hepatic vitamin A content has been reported in human alcoholics, an observation that has been confirmed in animal models of chronic alcohol consumption. Indeed, alcohol consumption has been associated with declines in hepatic levels of retinol (vitamin A), as well as retinyl ester and retinoic acid; collectively referred to as retinoids. Through the use of animal models, the complex interplay between alcohol metabolism and vitamin A homeostasis has been studied; the reviewed research supports the notion that chronic alcohol consumption precipitates a decline in hepatic retinoid levels through increased breakdown, as well as increased export to extra-hepatic tissues. While the precise biochemical mechanisms governing alcohol's effect remain to be elucidated, its profound effect on hepatic retinoid status is irrefutable. In addition to a review of the literature related to studies on tissue retinoid levels and the metabolic interactions between alcohol and retinoids, the significance of altered hepatic retinoid metabolism in the context of alcoholic liver disease is also considered.