THE HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC ACTIVITY OF VITAMIN A AND RELATED COMPOUNDS AS INFLUENCED BY THEIR CHEMICAL STRUCTURE

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The hypocholesterolemic properties of vitamin A and related compounds were studied with a view to ascertaining the importance of chemical structure on the activity of the substances. The compounds were incorporated into the diet of cholesterol-fed chicks and their ability to prevent the dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia was determined. The vitamin A type structure appeared to be necessary for activity because compounds chemically related to vitamin A but not having the general structure, such as β-carotene, citral, and phytol, had little or no activity. Variations in groupings and type of bonds within the general structure were less critical with regard to hypocholesterolemic properties. The all-trans, 9-mono-cis, and the 13-mono-cis vitamin A aldehydes possessed the same activity, and vitamin A, free and esterified, and vitamin A aldehyde were all active although the latter compound was considerably more so than the first two mentioned.