Serum studies in man after administration of vitamin A acetate and vitamin A alcohol. I. In normal subjects.

Vitamin A acetate and vitamin A alcohol, triolein I(131), oleic acid I(131), and fat balance tests have been assessed in studies on cases of coeliac disease, pancreatic insufficiency, and some disorders of the small intestinal wall. In coeliac disease a very low serum carotene and flat vitamin A absorption curves have been noted. The contrast between vitamin A acetate and alcohol curves has been clearly shown in cases of pancreatic disorder showing maldigestion. The correlation between vitamin A and triolein I(131) absorption (0.89) is closer than that between vitamin A and fat balance. In assessing intestinal absorption serum carotene figures are of value only if very low figures are found.