The Effect of Thyroid Activity on the Conversion of Carotene and Retinene to Vitamin A and on Serum Proteins

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Abstract
The effect of iodinated casein, thiourea and thiouracil on retinene and carotene metabolism in rats has been investigated. Iodinated casein decreased whereas thiourea increased the liver storage of vitamin A on feeding retinene, but thiouracil did not show any significant effect. There was no significant difference in total vitamin A in livers between the iodinated casein and thiourea groups, when retinene was injected intravenously. On feeding carotene, hyperthyroid rats stored more and hypothyroid rats less vitamin A in the liver than the controls. The changes occurring in the different components of serum proteins, in vitamin A-deficient, hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats have been shown. In vitamin A deficiency a very low albumin level and a significant increase in α2-, β2- and γ-globulin levels are observed. In hyperthyroidism, there is a decrease in the albumin and an increase in the α2- and β2-globulins. In hypothyroidism an increase in the α1-globulin is noted.