Absorption of vitamin A and carotenoids by the enterocyte: Focus on transport proteins

231Citations
Citations of this article
385Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in most developing countries, especially in children and pregnant women. It is thus a priority in health policy to improve preformed vitamin A and/or provitamin A carotenoid status in these individuals. A more accurate understanding of the molecular mechanisms of intestinal vitamin A absorption is a key step in this direction. It was long thought that β-carotene (the main provitamin A carotenoid in human diet), and thus all carotenoids, were absorbed by a passive diffusion process, and that preformed vitamin A (retinol) absorption occurred via an unidentified energy-dependent transporter. The discovery of proteins able to facilitate carotenoid uptake and secretion by the enterocyte during the past decade has challenged established assumptions, and the elucidation of the mechanisms of retinol intestinal absorption is in progress. After an overview of vitamin A and carotenoid fate during gastro-duodenal digestion, our focus will be directed to the putative or identified proteins participating in the intestinal membrane and cellular transport of vitamin A and carotenoids across the enterocyte (i.e., Scavenger Receptors or Cellular Retinol Binding Proteins, among others). Further progress in the identification of the proteins involved in intestinal transport of vitamin A and carotenoids across the enterocyte is of major importance for optimizing their bioavailability. © 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Figures

  • Table 1. Main dietary retinoids and carotenoids.
  • Figure 1. Proteins involved in uptake, transport and secretion pathways of vitamin A and carotenoids across the enterocyte.

References Powered by Scopus

Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 Protein Is Critical for Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption

1554Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

The target of ezetimibe is Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1)

703Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

A membrane receptor for retinol binding protein mediates cellular uptake of vitamin A

664Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

A global perspective on carotenoids: Metabolism, biotechnology, and benefits for nutrition and health

707Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Insight into nanoparticle cellular uptake and intracellular targeting

675Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Vitamin E: Emerging aspects and new directions

362Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Reboul, E. (2013, September 12). Absorption of vitamin A and carotenoids by the enterocyte: Focus on transport proteins. Nutrients. MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5093563

Readers over time

‘13‘14‘15‘16‘17‘18‘19‘20‘21‘22‘23‘24‘25015304560

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 147

71%

Researcher 41

20%

Professor / Associate Prof. 14

7%

Lecturer / Post doc 5

2%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 85

45%

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Bi... 43

23%

Medicine and Dentistry 36

19%

Nursing and Health Professions 23

12%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Social Media
Shares, Likes & Comments: 1

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free
0