Vitamin A
& Visual Cycle
Nervous System Block 1 Lecture
Dr. Usman Ghani
Biochemistry
Objectives
By the end of this lecture the Second Year
students will be able to:
Identify the types of vitamin A and their
functions.
Discuss the transport and metabolism of
vitamin A.
Comprehend the role of vitamin A in visual cycle
Correlate the deficiency of vitamin with vision
impairment and blindness
Overview
Fat-soluble vitamins
Biochemistry and types of vitamin A
Absorption and transport
Functions
Functions in the visual cycle
Deficiency and diseases
Vitamins
Organic compounds present in small
quantities in different types of food
Help in various biochemical processes in
cell
Most act as coenzymes
Important for growth and maintaining good
health
Essential
Non-caloric
Required in very small amounts
Vitamins - Classified Based on
Solubility
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
A, D, E, and K
Water-Soluble Vitamins
ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
thiamin (vitamin B1)
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
niacin
pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
biotin
pantothenic acid
folate
cobalamin (vitamin B12)
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Stored in the liver and adipose tissue
Excess may accumulate and cause toxicity
Cases of toxicity with vitamin A and D have
been reported
Do not need to be consumed each day due
to storage in the body
Absorbed slowly with fats
Diseases due to deficiency are rare as
large amounts are stored in the body
Vitamin A from animal sources
(Preformed)
Three preformed compounds called retinoids
that are metabolically active and found in
animal products
retinol – alcohol form
(can be converted to other forms)
retinal or retinaldehyde – aldehyde form
(essential in vision)
retinoic acid – acid form
(for skin and bone growth)
Vitamin A from plant sources
(Provitamin)
Carotenoids (-carotene) and cryptoxanthin
can yield retinoids when metabolized in the
body
These are from plant sources
One molecule of -carotene can be cleaved
into two molecules of retinal in the intestine
Functions of Vitamin A
Vision: Vitamin A is a component of the visual
pigment rhodopsin. Retinal is bound to the
protein opsin.
Growth: Vitamin A deficiency causes loss of
appetite. Slow bone growth. Affects CNS.
Reproduction: Retinol and retinal are essential
for normal reproduction
Maintenance of epithelial cells: Essential for
normal differentiation of epithelial tissues and
mucus secretion
Functions of Vitamin A
Vision
Gene transcription
Immune function
Embryonic development and reproduction
Bone metabolism
Skin health
Antioxidant activity
Vitamin A
Essential role in vision and normal cell
differentiation
Deficiency is the most significant cause of
blindness in the developing world
Large doses over a prolonged period of time
can produce intoxication and eventually lead to
liver disease
Excessive carotenoids intake can result in
yellowing of the skin, but appears to be
harmless
Role of Vitamin A in Vision
Visual Cycle
A process by which light impacting on the retina
of the eye is converted to an electrical signal
The optic nerve carries the electrical signal to
the brain (nerve impulse)
The brain processes the signal into an image
Role of Vitamin A in Vision
Rod Cell
Cone Cell
Rhodopsin and retinal structures
Role of Vitamin A in Vision
Normal vision depends on the retina and on
adequate vitamin A
First discovered by George Ward in 1967 (a
Nobel Laureate)
In the retina, vitamin A in the form of retinal
binds to a protein called opsin to make
rhodopsin (in rod cells) and iodopsin (in cone
cells)
Rhodopsin and iodopsin are light-sensitive
pigments
Role of Vitamin A in Vision
When stimulated by light vitamin A isomerizes
from its bent ‘cis’ form to a straighter ‘trans’
form and detaches from opsin
The opsin molecule changes shape, which
sends a signal to the brain via optic nerve and
an image is formed
Most retinal released in this process is quickly
converted to trans-retinol and then to cis-retinal,
to begin another cycle
Role of Vitamin A in Vision
Dark Adaptation time
Bright light depletes rhodopsin (photobleaching)
Sudden shift from bright light to darkness
causes difficulty in seeing
Rhodopsin is synthesized in a few minutes and
vision is improved in the dark
Role of Vitamin A in Vision
The time required to synthesize rhodopsin in
the dark is called dark adaptation time
It is increased in vitamin A deficiency
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
Vitamin A for Adults
Women: 700 µg or 2,330 IU µg
Men: 900 µg or 3,000 IU
UL Men or Women: 3,000 µg or 10,000 IU
Vitamin A Deficiency and Diseases
Nyctalopia (night blindness): patient cannot see
in low light or near darkness conditions
Xerophthalmia: dryness of the conjunctiva and
cornea
Bitot’s spots: localized increased thickness of
the conjunctiva
Vitamin A Deficiency and Diseases
Keratomalacia: prolonged xerophthalmia leads
to drying and clouding of cornea
Complete blindness (in severe deficiency)
Take-home message
Vitamin A plays a major role in visual cycle and
color vision.
Its deficiency can lead to vision impairment and
blindness.
References
Lippincott’s Biochemistry, 5th Edition
pp 381-384, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
New York, NY, USA.
