High provitamin A carotenoid serum concentrations, elevated retinyl esters, and saturated retinol-binding protein in Zambian preschool children are consistent with the presence of high liver vitamin A stores.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Biomarkers of micronutrient status are needed to best define deficiencies and excesses of essential nutrients.

Objective

We evaluated several supporting biomarkers of vitamin A status in Zambian children to determine whether any of the biomarkers were consistent with high liver retinol stores determined by using retinol isotope dilution (RID).

Design

A randomized, placebo-controlled, biofortified maize efficacy trial was conducted in 140 rural Zambian children from 4 villages. A series of biomarkers were investigated to better define the vitamin A status of these children. In addition to the assessment of total-body retinol stores (TBSs) by using RID, tests included analyses of serum carotenoids, retinyl esters, and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) by using hig

SUBMITTER: Mondloch S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6546228 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature