The blood plasma vitamin A/carotene ratio and tocopherol concentration in relation to the metabolic state

  • Robert W. Hillman
  • Louis Nerb
  • Harvey Hertz
Article
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Summary

The vitamin A/carotene ratio in the blood plasma was determined in 25 patients whose basal metabolism was measured because of suspected thyroid dysfunction.

The plasma tocopherol level was determined in 16 of these cases. The plasma vitamin A/carotene ratio and its individual components showed no statistically significant correlation with single BMR readings nor with serum cholesterol concentrations.

The plasma tocopherol level showed no statistically significant correlation with the BMR, the vitamin A/ carotene ratio or with the concentration of vitamin A, carotene or cholesterol. Extremely low levels were noted in some patients with elevated metabolic rates.

In 3 cases in which repeated determinations were made during effective therapy for hypermetabolism, the vitamin A/carotene ratio exhibited no evident trend. The plasma tocopherol level increased, showing apparent correlation with the clinical picture.

Isolated determinations of the plasma vitamin A/ carotene ratio and of the tocopherol level constitute undependable indexes of the overall metabolic state. Serial determinations of plasma vitamin A, carotene, and, especially tocopherol concentrations may con-tribute to the clinical evaluation of patients under treatment for hypermetabolism.

Keywords

Tocopherol Hyperthyroidism Carotene Shigellosis Plasma Vitamin 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Sandfield Publishing Company 1954

Authors and Affiliations

  • Robert W. Hillman
    • 1
  • Louis Nerb
    • 1
  • Harvey Hertz
    • 1
  1. 1.Departments of Medicine and Clinical Pathology of the Brooklyn HospitalBrooklyn

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