Study of distribution of the vitamin A after overdose feeding along the digestive tract of rats intestine by LIFS.

UNLABELLED: Distribution of vitamin A after overdose feeding along the digestive tract of rat's intestine was studied by LIFS. Purpose of our pilot study was to investigate possible usage of LIFS for real time monitoring of vitamin A digestion and storage in intestine as in liver and to identify regions of intestine where vitamin A droplets are formed. ANIMALS: normal male Wistar rats (250-300 g, n=5) were fed on vitamin A enriched diet during the experimental 21 days' period (totally -82.56 mg. vitamin A). The control group (250-300 g, n=5) was maintained by ordinary diet. All rats used in our studies were sacrificed in the morning between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Liver and intestinal regions of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and cecum were examined in this experiment. LIF spectra in all parts of intestine as well as in liver demonstrates characteristic fluorescence peaks at approximately 390 nm and at 470 nm. It is clearly demonstrated, that after overdose feeding rats on vitamin A, retinol-rich regions can be found in all, but in cecum part of rat intestine. Obtained results demonstrate that LIFS can be used for study of metabolism and real-time monitoring of intratissue retinol.

[Vitamins C, B12 and folic acid in latent iron deficiency].

The aim of the work was to study the level of vitamins C, B12 and folic acid in latent iron deficiency of different etiology (hipo- and anacid gastritis and menorrhagia). 81 patients with latent iron deficiency were investigated. Vitamin C levels were measured by refractometry, folic acid and vitamin B12 by radioimmune assay. The obtained results showed significant decrease of ascorbic acid and less apparent decrease of folic acid in the blood plasma. The content of vitamin B12 was unchanged. Decrease of vitamin C level is related to the changes of initial stages of iron metabolism and its further absorption. Less apparent changes of folic acid and vitamin B12 indicates, that such important stages of erithropoesis as DNA replication and cell proliferation are intact. Our results indicate to the development of metabolic disorders prior to revelation of iron deficiency anaemia, which need timely correction.