Modulation of Resistin Expression by Retinoic Acid and Vitamin A Status
Speaking of Vit A’s bad rap…
Resistin is a hormone secreted by the fat cells that has been shown to worsen insulin resistance and overall make the obesity problem worse.
In this interesting article we see that retinoic acid (the acid form of Vit A) and Vitamin A given to mice actually lowers the genetic expression of resistin, thus improving insulin resistance and resulting in weight loss. What I would consider interesting here is that, given that Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, it’s absorption would be impaired with gastric bypass surgery as well as patients will non-surgical digestion problems. Might poor digestion contribute to weight gain at least in part by reducing Vit A absoprtion? Just some food for thought…
Diabetes — Abstracts: Felipe et al. 53 (4): 882
