Efficacy of the dietary histone deacetylase inhibitor butyrate alone or in combination with vitamin A against proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

The combined treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and retinoids has been suggested as a potential epigenetic strategy for the control of cancer. In the present study, we investigated the effects of treatment with butyrate, a dietary HDACi, combined with vitamin A on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Cell proliferation was evaluated by the crystal violet staining method. MCF-7 cells were plated at 5 x 10(4) cells/mL and treated with butyrate (1 mM) alone or combined with vitamin A (10 µM) for 24 to 120 h. Cell proliferation inhibition was 34, 10 and 46% following treatment with butyrate, vitamin A and their combination, respectively, suggesting that vitamin A potentiated the inhibitory activities of butyrate. Furthermore, exposure to this short-chain fatty acid increased the level of histone H3K9 acetylation by 9.5-fold (Western blot), but not of H4K16, and increased the expression levels of p21WAF1 by 2.7-fold (Western blot) and of RARβ by 2.0-fold (quantitative real-time PCR). Our data show that RARβ may represent a molecular target for butyrate in breast cancer cells. Due to its effectiveness as a dietary HDACi, butyrate should be considered for use in combinatorial strategies with more active retinoids, especially in breast cancers in which RARβ is epigenetically altered.

Comparative studies on the effect of some antioxidants on renal dysfunction in rats

The present study is carrying out for investigating the effect of supplementation with some vitamins [A, EandC] as natural antioxidant extracts in renal dysfunction in rates. 40 adult male Sprague - Dawley rats [150 - 200 g] divided to two groups. First group: 8 rats were fed on standard diet [S.D.], as a control group. Second group: 32 rats were injected intraperitonial with a single dose of Cis-diammine dichloride Platinum II [CDDP] for inducing renal dysfunction [2.5 mg/Kg] then it was divided to six subgroups each one contained 8 rats. [1]: fed on [S.D.] nephrotoxic group. [2]: fed on [S.D.] + Vitamin A [15 mg/Kg body weight/day]. [3]: fed on [S.D.] + Vitamin E [317 I.U. /kg body weight/day]. [4]: fed on [S.D.] + Vitamin C [280 I.U. /kg body weight/day]. The experimental period was four weeks, results were statistically analyzed. The results proved that groups of nephrotoxicity rats supplemented with Vitamin A,E and C showed significant increase in food intakes, body weight gain and food efficiency ratio [FER] [28.9%, 29.4% and 19.2%], [870.5%, 1615.6% and 409.8%] and [652.5%, 122502% and 327.3%] respectively, compared with nephrotoxic group. The nephrotoxicity rats supplemented with Vitamin A and showed significant reduction in serum vitamin E and kidney glutathione content [9.3% and 47.9%], while nephrotoxicity rats supplemented with Vitamin E and C showed significant increase in serum vitamin E and kidney glutathione content [27.9% and 116.6%], [13.7% and 55.8%]respectively. The results showed that nephrotoxicity rats supplemented with Vitamin A, E and C showed significant reduction in serum urea nitrogen and creatinine [48.01% and 55.2%], [52.6% and 60.3%] and [57.0% and 63.04%] respectively. Best results in histopathological examination of kidney were in vitamin A and vitamin C groups. These results suggest that natural antioxidants could be beneficial as additional therapy in renal dysfunction

comparative study of antioxidant vitamins and simvastatin in hypercholesterolimic rabbits

The anti-lipidemic effects of orally administered antioxidant vitamins [vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E] individually and in combination were studied in cholesterol-fed rabbits and compared to the group of hypercholesterolemic animals that were treated with simvastatin. All treatment groups exhibited a decrease in serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C] and triglycerides concentrations, whilst vitamin C, vitamin E, the combination and simvastatin showed a more profound decrease in the lipid profile than vitamin A at different time intervals. The order of increase in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C] levels remained in favour of simvastatin, as none of the antioxidant vitamins treated group could exhibit a profound increase in the HDL-C

Trans-differentiation of iris pigmented epithelial cells of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis tadpoles into lens in vitro.

Meshed pigmented iris epithelium along with neural retina of tadpoles of the frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis were found to undergo dedifferentiation and subsequently transdifferentiate into lens in culture medium. During lag period, depigmentation (dedifferentiation) occurred in many cells. When culture became confluent 3-4 weeks after seeding tiny lens like structures differentiated from foci of cultured pigmented iris epithelium cells. The percentage of lens formation was higher in vitamin A treated cases. The culture system appears to be a suitable for investigating the changes occurred during trans-differentiation of pigmented epithelial cells into lens.

The effect of vitamin A on secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in A549 cells induced by Mycoplasma pneumoniae / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to investigate the effect of vitamin A (VA) on the secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in Mycoplasma Pneumoniae (MP)-induced A549 cells, A549 cells were co-cultured with MP for different time lengths and then the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the cell culture supernatants were detected before and after treatment with different concentrations of VA by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the level of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the supernatants of MP-induced A549 cells was much higher than that in non-induced cells (P<0.01). After application of VA, IL-4 level was not increased until the concentration of VA was up to 0.5x10(-5) mol/L (P<0.01). However, with concentration of VA increased up to 1x10(-4) mol/L, IL-4 was significantly suppressed (P<0.01). It was concluded that MP could induce the secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in A549 cells. VA could inhibit the secretion of IFN-gamma and increase the IL-4 level in MP-induced A549 cells. However, high concentration of VA had an inhibitory effect on the secretion of IL-4 as well as on the IFN-gamma. These data provided a theoretical basis for the application of VA in MP pneumonia in the clinical practice.

Alteraciones clínicas y bioquímicas en ratas tratadas con dosis altas de vitamina A / Clinical and biochemical alterations in rats treated with high doses of vitamin A

En el presente trabajo se estudió el efecto de la administración intramuscular de 30.000, 50.000 y 100.000 UI de palmitato de vitamina A/día, durante 7 días, respectivamente, sobre la actividad enzimática hepática en 45 ratas Wistar machos, de 12 semanas de edad, con pesos entre 180 y 200 gramos. El grupo control estuvo integrado por 15 ratas Wistar sanas, con género, edad y peso similares a los animales tratados. El consumo de alimentos y de agua, y el peso de las ratas se determinó al finalizar el período experimental. Las ratas se examinaron en busca de manifestaciones clínicas de toxicidad. Al final el estudio, las ratas se sacrificaron bajo anestesia con éter y se tomaron muestras de tejido hepático para la determinación de la actividad enzimática. La administración de vitamina A en exceso incrementó de manera significativa (p menor que 0,05) el contenido hepático del retinol, determinó diversos y variados signos clínicos (tales como: anorexia, pérdida de peso, alopecia, conjuntivitis, hemorragias internas y externas, alteraciones cutáneas y muerte de los animales) e incrementó (p menor que 0,05) la actividad de las siguientes enzimas: alanina aminotransferasa, aspartato aminotransferasa, maltasa ácida (alfa-1,4-glucosidasa ácida), proteasas ácidas, lactato dehidrogenasa y fosfatasa alcalina mientras que las actividades de la glucosa-6-fosfatasa, glucógeno fosforilasa, alfa-amilasa, colinesterasa y arginasa disminuyeron (p menor que 0,05) al comparar con los controles no tratados. Estos cambios son proporcionales a las dosis inyectadas de vitamina A. En conclusión, nuestros resultados proporcionan evidencias que la administración de dosis altas de vitamina A a corto plazo determina diversos y variados signos clínicos y produce una marcada alteración de la actividad enzimática hepática.

In the present work the effect of intramuscular administration of 30.000, 50.000 and 100.000 IU of vitamin A palmitate daily for seven days, respectively, on the liver enzyme activity in 45 white male Wistar rats, aged 12 weeks and weighing 180-200 g, have been studied. The group control was integrated by 15 healthy rats with similar characteristics (strain, gender, age and weight) to treated animals. Food and water consumption and body weights were recorded at the end of the experimental period. Rats were observed for clinical signs of toxicity. At the end of the study, rats were sacrificed under ether anesthesia. Liver samples were taken for the determination of enzyme activity. Administration of excess of vitamin A produced a significant (p menor 0.05) increase in the content of liver vitamin A, determined diverse and variable clinical signs (such as, anorexia, loss of body weight, alopecia, conjunctivitis, external and internal hemorrhages, skin abnormalities and death) and increased (p menor que 0.05) the activity of the following enzymes: alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, acid maltase (acid alfa-1,4-glucosidase), acid proteases, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase while glucose-6-phosphatase, glycogen phosphorylase, alfa-amylase, cholinesterase and arginase decreased (p menor que 0.05) as compared with untreated controls. These changes depend on the doses given of vitamin A. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that short-term administration of high doses of vitamin A determined diverse and variable clinical signs and produces a marked alteration of activity of liver enzymes.

Impacto da suplementação com retinil palmitato no pós-parto imediato sobre os níveis de retinol do colostro / Impact on colostrum retinol levels of immediate postpartum supplementation with retinyl palmitate

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da suplementação com retinil palmitato sobre os níveis de retinol no colostro, investigando a influência de variáveis maternas (idade, tipo de parto e estado nutricional bioquímico) sobre esses níveis. MÉTODO:Participaram do estudo 33 nutrizes atendidas na Maternidade Escola Januário Cicco, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. Foram coletadas, nas primeiras horas após o parto, uma amostra de sangue e uma de colostro. Uma nova amostra de colostro foi coletada 6 horas após suplementação materna com 200 000 UI de retinil palmitato. O retinol no sangue e colostro foi determinado por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. RESULTADOS: Os níveis médios de retinol no colostro antes da suplementação foram de 110,8 ± 82,3 mug/dL, tendo atingido 164,4 ± 106,5 mug/dL após a suplementação (P < 0,025). Doze puérperas não responderam à suplementação ou tiveram um aumento inferior a 10 por cento nos níveis de retinol no colostro; o nível de retinol sérico dessas mulheres foi significativamente mais baixo do que o daquelas que responderam à suplementação (P = 0,024). Puérperas com parto cesáreo (64 por cento) tiveram níveis menores de retinol no soro (P = 0,036), mas não no leite, em comparação a mulheres com parto normal. A idade não influenciou os níveis de retinol, nem no soro nem no leite. CONCLUSÕES: A suplementação com retinil palmitato foi eficaz na elevação dos níveis de retinol no colostro, garantindo o fornecimento de quantidade suficiente de vitamina A para satisfazer o dobro das necessidades de retinol do recém-nascido.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of retinyl palmitate supplementation on colostrum retinol levels, investigating the influence of maternal variables (age, type of delivery, and biochemical nutritional status) on these levels. METHOD: The study included 33 mothers receiving care at the Januário Cicco Maternity School, in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. In the first hours after delivery, blood and colostrum samples were collected. Another colostrum sample was collected six hours after maternal supplementation with 200 000 IU of retinyl palmitate. Serum and colostrum retinol levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The mean retinol level in colostrum before the supplementation was 110.8 ± 82.3 mug/dL, and after supplementation it was 164.4 ± 106.5 mug/dL (P < 0.025). Of the 33 mothers, 12 of them either did not respond to supplementation or had an increase of less than 10 percent in colostrum retinol levels; serum retinol in these women was significantly lower as compared to the responders (P = 0.024). In comparison to women with a normal delivery, the mothers who underwent cesarean delivery (64 percent) had lower serum retinol levels, but not lower colostrum retinol levels (P = 0.036). Maternal age did not influence retinol levels in either serum or colostrum. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in colostrum retinol levels following vitamin A supplementation was sufficient to guarantee double the retinol requirements of a newborn infant.

Dietary supplementation of vitamin A, C and E prevents p-dimethylaminoazobenzene induced hepatic DNA damage in rats.

The preventive effect of antioxidant vitamins A, C, E and their analogues against DNA damage induced by a hepatocarcinogen p-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) was assessed by comet assay. For genotoxicity (DNA damage) study, male albino rats were divided into 11 groups, consisting of four rats each. Group I served as control. Group II to VII received 1, 10, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg per kg body wt of DAB respectively; group VIII to XI received 500 mg/kg body wt of DAB. They were sacrificed by cervical decapitation 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after treatment; livers were excised immediately and subjected to comet assay to measure DNA damage. To study the effect of vitamins, experiments were conducted on a group of 275 rats divided into 3 sets of 25 rats each. First set served as control; second set received 0.06% DAB and third set received 0.06% DAB, along with analogues of vitamins A, C and E. Rats fed with 0.06% DAB were provided water ad libitum for a period of 4 months, followed by a normal (basal) diet for further 2 months. Vitamins A (10,000-50,000 IU), C (75-1000 mg) and E (50-500 mg) and their analogues were given (per kg body wt) to the third set of rats by gavage route once in a week for a period of 6 months. The DAB induced DNA damage only at the highest tested dose of 500 mg/kg body wt. Administration of high doses of vitamin A acid, L-ascorbic acid and vit. E succinate individually prevented the DNA damage. However, administration of a mixture of these vitamins at low doses prevented the DAB-induced DNA damage, which may be due to their synergistic effect. The results indicate that there is a significant advantage in mixed vitamins therapy at low dose over the treatment with individual vitamins.

Impacto obtenido sobre la morbilidad infantil suplementando vitamina A, hierro y cinc a niños <5 años de edad residentes en una zona de alta pobreza: caso: Relleno Sanitario Sector Walter Marquez / The impact obtained about infantile morbidity supplement with vitamin A, iron and zinc to children <5 years old that live in poverty places

La ciencia y la tecnología nunca resolverán todos los problemas suscitados por la insuficiencia de alimentos y la falta de servicios de salud y saneamiento, propiciantes de la desnutrición infantil. Pero los éxitos de los adelantos científicos y los conocimientos obtenidos, han dado pie a nuevas esperanzas de lograr vidas más saludables y productivas, tanto para los niños como para los adultos. Parte de estos conocimientos, como el fortalecimiento del sistema de inmunidad gracias a los efectos de la vitamina A, están bien establecidos. Con el objetivo de demostrar que la suplementación de micro nutrientes a niños en situaciones de pobreza puede propiciar una reducción en la aparición de enfermedades infecciosas más frecuentes, se diseñó un estudio experimental de campo, descriptivo y longitudinal, sobre una población integrada por niños de educación inicial ubicados en el Barrio “Hugo Rafael Chávez” del Sector Walter Márquez de San Josecito, Municipio Torbes. Luego de visitas de inducción, capacitación y censo de morbilidad, se procedió a desparasitar con albendazol y a suministrar dosis pediátricas de vitamina A en capsulas blandas 3 días, sulfato de cinc en tabletas 15 días y sulfato ferroso en jarabe 3 meses, para cumplir un plan de seguimiento mensual durante tres meses. Se incorporan 25 niños y niñas, de los cuales el 50 por ciento de los menores de 2 años de edad tenían algún grado de desnutrición aguda. Mientras que el 36 por ciento de los mayores de dos años tenían desnutrición crónica. De las enfermedades conseguidas, las del aparato respiratorio fueron las más frecuentes, seguidas por las intestinales. Dentro de las respiratorias, las gripes, rinitis y catarro fueron el 81,3 por ciento. Las diarreas fueron el 57,8 por ciento de las digestivas. Las piodermitis fueron el 50 por ciento de las infecciones de piel. Finalmente, la caries dental como enfermedad infecciosa bucal, fue el 55,8 por ciento de otras enfermedades.

The "third eye"-- a new concept of trans-differentiation of pineal gland into median eye in amphibian tadpoles of Bufo melanostictus.

Median third eye was found to develop from transplanted pineal gland of external gill stage tadpoles in the recipient 5 toe stage tadpoles of Bufo melanostictus. Pineal gland along with a bit part of brain tissue of the donor external gill stage tadpole was cut out and transplanted into a pit made between two lateral eyes of 5 toe stage recipient tadpoles. Half of the operated tadpoles were treated with vitamin A (15 IU/ml.) for 15 days. Median "third eye" was found to develop in the both untreated and vitamin A treated tadpoles. However, vitamin A increased the percentage of the development of median eyes. Morphological and histological study revealed that newly transformed median eyes were similar to that of normal functional eyes. A stalk like structure developed which connects the median eye to the brain. The median third eye could not develop when pineal gland of 5 toe stage mature tadpole was transplanted into the tadpole of the same age.

Effect of vitamin A on lens regeneration in pigs.

Intraperitoneal injections of vitamin A (0.5 ml of 1500 IU/ml) to lentectomized pigs on alternate days up to 60 th day after lentectomy induced lens regeneration in not only 10 days old young ones but also in 40 and 100 days old pigs. Lens regeneration did not occur even in a single case of control groups. In shape, size, transparency and histological features regenerated lenses were similar to normal intact lenses. The experimental model is the first to show that mitogenic and dedifferentiate activity of vitamin A can induce iris pigmented epithelial cells to trans-differentiate into new lens in pigs.

Effets de la vitamine A sur les adaptations morphometriques apres resection etendue de l'intestin greele du rat

This work was conceived to study, in the rat short bowel syndrome, the effect of precocious administration of retinoic acid on morphometric adaptation in the remnant intestine. Mitotic index, villous height, crypt depth and mucosal aspect were determined in 2 groups of rats [n=12] after 60% small bowel resection 100 meiug of retinoic acid were perfused immediately after resection in the first group. Control group rats received placebo. Two similar groups [n=12] underwent intestinal transection with or without retinoic acid perfusion. Our results show that retinoic acid induced precocious and significant enhancement of all morphometric parameters when compared to placebo

Effects of Combination Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid with Vitamin A (Retinol) and Selenium on the Response of the Immunoglobulin Production in Mice

The dietary effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the response of the immunoglobulin (serum and tissue) production in Balb/C mice was examined at three doses: 0 %(control), 0.5% and 1.5%. The combination effects of CLA with vitamin ADE or selenium also were investigated. CLA at 0.5% increased serum immunoglobulin A, G, mesenteric lymp node (MHN) and gut luminal IgA (secretory IgA) levels. However, 1.5% CLA decreased SIgG slightly. CLA both alone and combined with vitamin ADE and selenium did not affect serum IgE. The levels of immunoglobulin concentration in the 0.5% CLA group were higher than those in the1.5% CLA group. The level of serum IgG in 1.5% CLA combined with selenium was maintained at the same level as that of control. It is considered that over- doses of CLA (1.5%) even depressed the production of immunoglobulin but selenium and/or vitamin inhibited this activity to a certain extent.In this study, dietary CLA increased immunoglobulin production in a dose-dependent manner. Vitamin ADE and Selenium combined with CLA also increased the immunoglobulin production response except serum IgE.

Homeotic regeneration of eye in amphibian tadpoles and its enhancement by vitamin A.

After removal of both the lateral eyes of external gill stage tadpoles of the toad Bufo melanostictus, the pineal organ gets transformed into a median eye. This type of transformation occurs in tadpoles of both control and vitamin A treated groups. However, vitamin A increases the likelihood of homeotic regeneration (57% in the control group and 71% in the vitamin A treated group). Histological studies showed that the newly transformed median eye developed from the pineal organ. The pineal eye so developed possessed all components of a normal eye such as a retina, sensory cells and lens.

Lens regeneration in mice under the influence of vitamin A.

The effect of vitamin A has been studied on lens regeneration in young (7 days old) as well as adult mice. A longitudinal slit was made under local anesthesia in the cornea over the lens. The lens was extracted intact through the incision. Intraperitonial injection of vitamin A (0.05 ml of 30 IU/ml in young and 0.05 ml of 50 IU/ml in adult) was given to the operated animals. Vitamin A was found to induce lens regeneration in not only young but also in adult mice. Regenerated lenses were similar in shape, size, transparency and histological features to normal intact lenses.

Retinol-induced changes in the phosphorylation levels of histones and high mobility group proteins from Sertoli cells

Chromatin proteins play a role in the organization and functions of DNA. Covalent modifications of nuclear proteins modulate their interactions with DNA sequences and are probably one of the multiple factors involved in the process of switch on/off transcriptionally active regions of DNA. Histones and high mobility group proteins (HMG) are subject to many covalent modifications that may modulate their capacity to bind to DNA. We investigated the changes induced in the phosphorylation pattern of cultured Wistar rat Sertoli cell histones and high mobility group protein subfamilies exposed to 7 µM retinol for up to 48 h. In each experiment, 6 h before the end of the retinol treatment each culture flask received 370 KBq/ml [32P]-phosphate. The histone and HMGs were isolated as previously described [Moreira et al. Medical Science Research (1994) 22: 783-784]. The total protein obtained by either method was quantified and electrophoresed as described by Spiker [Analytical Biochemistry (1980) 108: 263-265]. The gels were stained with Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 and the stained bands were cut and dissolved in 0.5 ml 30 per cent H2O2 at 60oC for 12 h. The vials were chilled and 5.0 ml scintillation liquid was added. The radioactivity in each vial was determined with a liquid scintillation counter. Retinol treatment significantly changed the pattern of each subfamily of histone and high mobility group proteins.

Effect of some antioxidant [vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C] on plasma and tissues histamine concentrations in diabetic rats

The present study was carried out on adult male albino rats, experimentally made diabetics, to clarify whether some of the antioxidants exemplified by vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C, had any effect on the elevated plasma and aortic histamine concentrations suggested to be [at least partially] contributing to the early development of atherosclerotic changes in diabetics. In addition, an investigation of their possible effect on the activities of the aortic enzymes, histidine decarboxylase [HDC] and diamine oxidase [DAO] was included as well. Diabetes was induced in rats using alloxan. The animals [confirmed to become diabetics] were treated with the above mentioned drugs for 2 months. Plasma and aortic tissue histamine concentrations, aortic HDC and DAO enzymes activities were determined. Results of the present study had shown a statistically significant alteration in these parameters in the direction of the values recorded in the non-diabetic normal animals groups

Nutrition and development: other micronutrients' effect on growth and cognition.

Previous studies have provided strong evidence that protein-energy malnutrition, deficiencies of iron and iodine early on in life led to compromised growth and cognitive functions in young children. Recently, a growing body of knowledge indicated that other micronutrients also play a role in young child development. Severe as well as marginal vitamin A efficiency were shown to lead to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in children. A meta-analysis of vitamin A intervention trials indicated an overall reduction of 23% in all-cause mortality rate. Delayed growth, especially stunting, was reported in children with clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency. In addition, deficiency of zinc, which is essential for DNA and protein synthesis, leads to growth failure and delayed secondary sexual maturation in man and animals. Preterm infants appear to benefit from zinc administration in terms of growth and development. Supplementation studies in infants and older children revealed that those who manifested overt zinc deficiency through either clinical or biochemical indicators showed an improvement in linear growth and occasionally, an increase in weight gain. Zinc may also play a major role in brain function based on strong evidence from experimental animals. Zinc deficiency gestation in mice, rats, rhesus monkeys caused impaired learning, reduced attention and poor memory in their offspring. Data in humans are few and inconclusive. With respect to brain function alone, other nutrients such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3 fatty acid) improve visual acuity and mental development in small-for-gestational-age infants, folate supplementation during pregnancy prevents neural tube defect in infants, selenium deficiency in animals affects activities of brain enzymes necessary for brain development and function. Although evidence is accumulating that micronutrients other than iron and iodine may be important for physical growth and brain development in young children, more well-controlled studies in humans are needed. Critical issues to be considered include: single vs multiple limiting nutrients, critical period of deficiency, responsive indicators and variables that may affect the results as environmental, psychological and social factors.

A randomized controlled trial of vitamin A supplementation in acute diarrhea.

Effect of vitamin A supplementation on duration of diarrhea was evaluated in 108 cases between 6 months to 5 years of age suffering from acute diarrhea of less than 3 days duration and results were compared with equal number of age and sex matched controls having comparable feeding pattern, nutritional and socio-economic status and clinical profile who did not receive vitamin A supplementation. There was no significant difference in the mean duration of diarrhea in cases who received vitamin A and the controls. However, on subgroup analysis of the study and control groups a significant (p = 0.009) beneficial effect of vitamin A supplementation was noticed in cases who had a pre-existing vitamin A deficiency with CIC stage 3/5 and above. Even though vitamin A supplementation in malnourished children did not significantly alter the duration of diarrhea, a beneficial effect was observed in children who had CIC state 3 and above in association with malnutrition (p = 0.025). Our results indicate that vitamin A supplementation does not significantly reduce the duration of a diarrheal episode. However, in children with pre-existing vitamin A deficiency particularly those who have associated malnutrition it may have a beneficial effect.