Distribution and Dynamics of Vitamin A in Vocal Fold

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K17957
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology; Eating habits
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Nishimoto Kohei 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部(医), 助教 (60535590)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 声帯星型細胞 / ビタミンA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Orally dosed vitamin A (VA) peaked at 3 h in circulating serum and was distributed to multiple organs including the vocal fold mucosa. chylomicron-mediated VA transport can be measured via detection of α-retinol, a VA isomer that cannot bind to RBP and therefore cannot be released from hepatic storage.
Compared with the other organs assayed, vocal fold mucosa appears to be a rapid metabolizer of VA.
Combined, our tracing and immunohistochemistry data suggest that vocal fold stellate cells can uptake chylomicron-trafficked α-retinyl ester, then convert it to α-retinol followed by α-retinoic acid.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

喉頭領域のビタミンAの動態や α レチノールの投与効果に関する報告は過去にない点、すでに製品化されたビタミンA製剤を用いることで即臨床応用が可能となる点から、本研究は独創的である。本研究によりビタミンAの声帯への輸送機序が一部解明された。声帯瘢痕については現在治療法はないが、ビタミンA過剰状態にすることで、声帯星型細胞のビタミンA貯蔵量の増加とともに活性化・線維素産生の抑制・遅延が起こり、瘢痕形成の予防効果が認められると予想される。