Volume 90, Issue 1, July (2003), pp. 69-74 © The Author 2003
doi:10.1079/BJN2003854

Medline/PubMed Citation | Related Articles in PubMed | Download to Citation Matcher  

Uptake of vitamin A in buccal mucosal cells after topical application of retinyl palmitate: a randomised, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial

U. Sobeck¹, A. Fischer¹, H. K. Biesalski^1
1University of Hohenheim, Department of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, Fruwirthstr. 12, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany

 (Received 13 May 2002–Revised 24 January 2003–Accepted 11 February 2003)

Retinoids have been reported to produce regressions in metaplastic changes of the mucosal epithelium. In order to define the role of these micronutrients in the prevention of squamous metaplasia of the oral cavity, it is necessary to measure their uptake in target tissues such as the buccal mucosal epithelium. We demonstrated in a trial that retinyl palmitate applied topically via a toothpaste is taken up by buccal mucosal cells in young healthy volunteers. In the randomised, parallel-designed, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial, forty volunteers divided in two groups cleaned their teeth either with a placebo toothpaste or a retinyl palmitate-containing toothpaste (1 mg/g) for 56 d. Buccal mucosal cells samples were taken from the healthy volunteers during the retinyl palmitate application and the following wash-out phase to determine the concentration of retinyl palmitate and retinol by HPLC. Supplementary blood samples were taken from the volunteers on days 0 and 56 to investigate changes in plasma retinyl palmitate and retinol concentrations. Results from only thirty participants (sixteen placebo and fourteen treated subjects) were used in the statistical evaluation as the remaining sample results were spoiled by a technical defect during the HPLC analysis. A significant (P<0·05) uptake of retinyl palmitate in buccal mucosal cells after 7 d and a significant (P<0·05) increase of plasma retinol after 17 d was demonstrated in our present study. The uptake of retinyl palmitate and the following hydrolysis to retinol led to an enrichment of vitamin A in buccal mucosal cells.

Keywords:
Vitamin A, Retinyl palmitate, Buccal mucosa, Squamous epithelium, Oral care

Abbreviations:
ROH, retinol, RP, retinyl palmitate