Vitamin A : Absorption and transport to the liver

Retinyl esters from the diet are hydrolyzed in the intestinal mucosa, releasing retinol and FFA (Fig. 1). Retinol derived from esters and from the reduction of retinal from β-carotene cleavage is reesterified to long-chain FA within the enterocytes and secreted as a component of chylomicrons into the lymphatic system. Retinyl esters contained in
chylomicron remnants are taken up by, and stored in, the liver. [Note: All fat-soluble vitamins are carried in chylomicrons.]

Figure 1: Absorption, transport, and storage of vitamin A and its derivatives. [Note: β-Carotene is a carotenoid, a plant pigment with antioxidant activity.] RBP = retinol binding protein; TTR = transthyretin; RAR = retinoic acid receptor; CoA = coenzyme A; mRNA = messenger RNA.
 Release from the liver
When needed, retinol is released from the liver and transported through the blood to extrahepatic tissues by retinol-binding protein complexed with transthyretin (see Fig. 1). The ternary complex binds to a transport protein on the surface of the cells of peripheral tissues, permitting retinol to enter. An intracellular retinol-binding protein carries retinol to sites in the nucleus where the vitamin regulates transcription in a manner analogous to that of steroid hormones.