Researchers find that brain, not liver, controls body’s vitamin ‘A’ balance

Press/Media: Relating to Research

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Previously thought to be the duty of other organs in the body, including the liver and kidneys, this is the first time that scientists have identified a role for the brain in vitamin regulation, and it could have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of vitamin-related diseases from anaemia to infertility to blindness. 

Period16 Aug 2023

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1

Media coverage

  • TitleResearchers find that brain, not liver, controls body’s vitamin ‘A’ balance
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletNigerian Tribune
    Media typePrint
    Duration/Length/SizeReading time 4 mins
    Country/TerritoryNigeria
    Date16/08/23
    DescriptionVitamin A is a micronutrient essential for vertebrate animals maintained in homeostatic balance in the body; however, little is known about the control of this balance. This study investigated whether the hypothalamus, a key integrative brain region, regulates vitamin A levels in the liver and circulation. Vitamin A in the form of retinol or retinoic acid was stereotactically injected into the 3rd ventricle of the rat brain. Alternatively, retinoids in the mouse hypothalamus were altered through retinol-binding protein 4 (Rbp4) gene knockdown. This led to rapid change in the liver proteins controlling vitamin A homeostasis as well as vitamin A itself in liver and the circulation. Prolonged disruption of Rbp4 in the region of the arcuate nucleus of the mouse hypothalamus altered retinol levels in the liver. This supports the concept that the brain may sense retinoids and influence whole-body vitamin A homeostasis with a possible “vitaminostatic” role.
    Producer/AuthorIfeoluwa Akinola
    URLhttps://tribuneonlineng.com/researchers-find-that-brain-not-liver-controls-bodys-vitamin-a-balance/
    PersonsPeter Imoesi
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