Difference in Intestinal Absorption Between Vitamin A Alcohol and Ester. ∗

Summary

The plasma vitamin A level of hospital controls and patients with liver diseases was, as a rule, slightly more elevated after the intake of equal doses of vitamin A esters than of the alcohol. This difference was noted if the preparations were given in oily as well as in aqueous menstruum. Equal amounts of vitamin A in aqueous medium produced regularly a higher plasma level than in oil. The rise of the plasma level was mainly due to elevation of vitamin A esters whether vitamin A was administered as alcohol or as ester. Lipolytic processes, therefore, do not retard the absorption of vitamin A and it is suggested that part of vitamin A may be absorbed as ester. The greater stability of the esters may be an alternative explanation.