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Effect of vitamin A deficiency on the immune response in obesity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2012

Olga P. García
Olga P. García*
Affiliation:
School of Natural Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Av de la Ciencia S/N, Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
*
Corresponding author: Dr Olga P. García, fax +52 442 234 2958, email [email protected]
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Abstract

Obesity has been associated with low-grade systemic inflammation and with micronutrient deficiencies. Obese individuals have been found to have lower vitamin A levels and lower vitamin A intake compared with normal-weight individuals. Vitamin A plays a major role in the immune function, including innate immunity, cell-mediated immunity and humoral antibody immunity. It has also been recognised recently that vitamin A has important regulatory functions. Vitamin A status has an important effect on the chronic inflammatory response. Vitamin A deficiency increases a T-helper type 1 (Th1) response, elevates levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increases the expression of leptin, resistin and uncoupling proteins (UCP) and promotes adipogenesis. The effect of vitamin A deficiency on obesity might be increasing the risk of fat deposition and also the risk of chronic inflammation associated with obesity. Supplementation with vitamin A in vitro and in animal models has been found to reduce concentrations of adipocytokines, such as leptin and resistin. In conclusion, vitamin A deficiency increases a Th1 response in the presence of obesity and thus, increases the inflammatory process involved in chronic inflammation and fat deposition. The metabolism of leptin and other adipocytokines may play a critical role in the effect of vitamin A deficiency in the inflammatory response observed in obesity.

Keywords

Vitamin AImmunityObesity
Type
5th International Immunonutrition Workshop
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 71 , Issue 2 , May 2012 , pp. 290 - 297
Copyright
Copyright © The Author 2012

Abbreviations:
BAT

brown adipose tissue

IFN-γ

interferon-γ

RA

retinoic acid

RAR

retinoic acid receptor

RXR

retinoid X receptor

Th1

T-helper type 1

Th2

T-helper type 2

UCP

uncoupling protein

WAT

white adipose tissue

Micronutrients are necessary to have an adequate immune response and inflammatory processes, including the production of cytokines(Reference Cunningham-Rundles, McNeeley and Moon1, Reference Castellani, Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb and Tripoid2). Vitamin A and retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, are critical for the immune function, including innate immunity, cell-mediated immunity and humoral antibody immunity(Reference Stephensen3, Reference Villamor and Fawzi4). It has been recognised for some time that retinoids have important regulatory functions(Reference Amann, Eichmüller and Schmidt5, Reference Jarrett and Spearman6). Of the existing retinoids, retinoic acid (RA) and retinaldehyde seem to have a major role in the immune response, but all-trans-RA is recognised to be the most active form of vitamin A(Reference Ross, McCaffery and Drager7, Reference Ziouzenkova, Orasanu and Sharlack8).

The effect of micronutrient deficiencies, commonly present in protein-energy malnutrition, on the immune response has been widely documented and has been associated with higher risk of infectious diseases(Reference Rivera, De Souza and Araujo-Jorge9–Reference Guerrant, Lima and Davidson11). Vitamin A deficiency has been shown to increase the risk to infections. Vitamin A supplementation has proven to be effective to reduce childhood mortality, and in some cases morbidity(Reference Cunningham-Rundles, McNeeley and Moon1, Reference Imdad, Herzer and Mayo-Wilson12, Reference Imdad, Yakoob and Sudfeld13). In addition, vitamin A deficiency also impairs the inflammatory response and may be contributing to increase the risk of low systemic inflammation.

Higher prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies have been observed in obese individuals compared with normal-weight individuals, and may be increasing the risk of fat deposition and chronic diseases(Reference García, Long and Rosado14). Low concentrations of retinol have been found in overweight and obese individuals independent of age(Reference Strauss15–Reference Viroonudomphol, Pongpaew and Tungtrongchitr19). In Brazil, for example, a high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was found among overweight children(Reference Viroonudomphol, Pongpaew and Tungtrongchitr19); in adults with morbid obesity, vitamin A deficiency was significantly associated with insulin resistance (P<0·05)(Reference Villaça Chaves, Pereira and Saboya18). A negative correlation was also found between serum retinol concentration and weight, BMI and hip circumference in overweight and obese Thai adults in a case–control study(Reference Viroonudomphol, Pongpaew and Tungtrongchitr19). Also, low dietary intake of vitamin A has been associated with a high incidence of obesity in human populations(Reference Vaughan, Benyshek and Martin17).

Obesity is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation(Reference Rocha and Folco20). In obesity, vitamin A deficiency may be increasing the risk of chronic inflammation through the regulation of cytokines and leptin. This paper reviews the role of vitamin A in the immune system, including the adipose tissue, how vitamin A deficiency affects the immune response when obesity is present and how supplementation may reverse the effects of vitamin A deficiency in the immune response.

Vitamin A and the immune system

Vitamin A is a cofactor in the immune response and its effect is mediated by its action on the inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin A up-regulates the T-helper type 2 (Th2) response and down-regulates T-helper type 1 (Th1) response, while deficiency of this vitamin has the opposite effect(Reference Cantorna, Nashold and Hayes21–Reference Long and Nanthakumar23). The Th1 response is necessary for cellular immunity, production of immunomodulatory cytokines, promotion of cytotoxicity and activation of macrophages, while Th2 response promotes humoral immunity, antibody production, Ig maturation and deactivation of macrophages(Reference Berger24, Reference Jason, Archibald and Nwanyanwu25). Th1 response is responsible for the protection against intracellular infections and Th2 response is responsible for protecting against non-invasive infections. To have an efficient immune response, the balance between Th1 and Th2-type responses is of the utmost importance(Reference Berger24). Vitamin A supports Th2 response by development and differentiation between a Th1 and a Th2 response(Reference Cantorna, Nashold and Hayes21, Reference Halevy, Arazi and Melamed22). Specifically, vitamin A may be down-regulating the expression of inflammation markers and promoting a Th2 immune response by several mechanisms:

  1. 1. Inhibition of interferon-γ (IFN-γ).

  2. 2. Inhibition of TNFα.

  3. 3. Inhibition of NF-κB.

  4. 4. Inhibition of IL-12.

  5. 5. Modulator of transforming growth factor β.

  6. 6. Down-regulating leptin expression and other adipocytokines.

These pathways seem to be specific for RA(Reference Castellani, Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb and Tripoid2, Reference Castellani, Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb and Tripoid21, Reference Castellani, Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb and Tripoid26–Reference Luo and Ross29). Thus, vitamin A promotes an anti-inflammatory environment and adequate Th1:Th2 ratios.

Retinoids and cell differentiation

Cell differentiation is involved in the immune response through both innate and cell-mediated responses. Retinoids are responsible for cell differentiation through gene transcription and are mediated by the activation of the interaction of their nuclear retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR)(Reference Giguere, Ong and Segui30–Reference Mangelsdorf, Thummel and Beato32). These receptors belong to the nuclear hormone receptors superfamily, like PPARγ(Reference Mangelsdorf, Thummel and Beato32–Reference Robinson-Rechavi, Escriva and Laudet34). The RAR receptors respond to both all-trans-RA and 9-cis-RA, while RXR respond specifically to 9-cis-RA(Reference Aranda and Pascual33).

Both RAR and RXR regulate the expression of hundreds of genes such as skin keratins, retinol-binding protein, leptin and IFN-γ(Reference Blomhoff and Blomhoff35–Reference Ziuzenkova and Plutzky39). The regulation of gene expression by retinoids has been recently reviewed by Amann et al.(Reference Amann, Eichmüller and Schmidt5). Transcription regulation by the retinoid receptors can be through two different pathways. The first direct pathway involves binding of RAR:RXR or RXR:RXR to specific response elements located in the promoter or enhancer region of a specific target gene(Reference Mangelsdorf, Thummel and Beato32–Reference Robinson-Rechavi, Escriva and Laudet34, Reference Mongan and Gudas40). Also, the transcription of genes can be regulated indirectly by interfering with other transcription factors(Reference Amann, Eichmüller and Schmidt5, Reference Aranda and Pascual33).

Retinoic acid and immunity

The role of RA on inflammation and immunity has been reviewed recently(Reference Kim41). Briefly, RA production is induced in tissue cells through retinol metabolism when an inflammation process begins. RA induces and regulates the expression of immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells and lymphoid cells, which include T-cells, T-regulatory cells and B-cells(Reference Kim41). B-cells are part of the immune regulatory response and are responsible for the production of antibodies. RA is necessary for the development and maturity of B-cells, B-cell proliferation, B-cell differentiation and antibody-secreting plasma cells(Reference Kim41–Reference Allan, Stax and Zheng43). The effect that RA has on cell differentiation involves the RAR and RXR pathways. RA induces cell differentiation by binding to RAR, and thus induces gene transcription of transcription factors, signalling proteins, and interacts with RXR to activate the transcription of primary target genes(Reference Gudas and Wagner44, Reference Du, Tabeta and Mann45). The RXR pathway seems to be the one involved in maintaining a Th2-type response(Reference Du, Tabeta and Mann45, Reference Stephensen, Jiang and Freytag46).

RA has been shown to inhibit NF-κB activity in human cell lines and also repress the transcription of NF-κB genes such as IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, all involved in inflammation processes(Reference Austenaa, Carlsen and Hollung47–Reference Delage, Bairras and Buaud51). Also, it is now recognised that RA is responsible for the down-regulation of the gene expression of IFN-γ and TNFα, contributing to the Th2 anti-inflammatory response(Reference Rocha and Folco20, Reference Delage, Bairras and Buaud51, Reference Cantorna, Nashold and Hayes21, Reference Luo and Ross29, Reference Garbe, Jochen and Hämmerling52).

RA is also produced at high concentrations in the intestine and is a key factor in mucosal immunity(Reference Kim41, Reference Hammerschmidt, Friedrichsen and Boelter53). It has been shown that RA promotes epithelial integrity to produce mucosal secretions, and induces immunity to protect the intestine after immunisation in animal models(Reference Hammerschmidt, Friedrichsen and Boelter53–Reference Maggini, Wintergerst and Beveridge54). In addition, RA is known to modulate transforming growth factor β in the epithelial intestine cells and this contributes to an anti-inflammatory response in the gut(Reference Kim28, Reference Kang, Wang and Matsumoto55).

Vitamin A and the adipose tissue

Vitamin A actively participates in the adipocyte metabolism. It is estimated that 15–20% of total retinoids are located in the adipose tissue(Reference Zovich, Orolonga and Okuno56). The role of vitamin A in adipose tissue development and metabolism has been previously reviewed(Reference Villarroya, Giralt and Iglesis57–Reference Yasmeen, Jeyakumar and Reichert59).

During obesity, the adipose tissue undergoes an important expansion and cell differentiation as well as adipocyte maturation. PPARγ is the major regulator of adipogenesis and its expression is mediated through several pathways, one of which involves retinoids. Vitamin A, retinaldehyde and RA are all present in the adipocyte and are actively involved in cell differentiation, as well as transcription of PPARγ(Reference Yasmeen, Jeyakumar and Reichert59, Reference Xue, Shwarz and Chawla60). Also, vitamin A is involved in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the adipocyte promoting a Th2-type response(Reference Kumar, Sunvold and Scarpace27, Reference Luo and Ross29).

White adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) regulate retinoid metabolism, and differentiation between WAT and BAT is associated with the amount of intracellular retinoids(Reference Villarroya, Giralt and Iglesis57, Reference Tsutsumi, Okuno and Tannous61). Both RAR and RXR are expressed differently in WAT and BAT, and thus, there are different gene expressions depending on the type of adipose tissue(Reference Villarroya62). In BAT, for example, RA induces transcription of the uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 gene mediated through RAR and RXR and the response element located at the enhancer; UCP-1 is the protein responsible for the thermogenic function attributed to BAT(Reference Alvarez, De Andrés and Yubero63–Reference Alvarez, Checa and Brun67). In vitro, RA increased 1·6 times UCP-1 mRNA expression in the BAT and slightly decreased its expression in WAT adipocytes(Reference Lehr, Canola and Léger68).

In addition to the UCP-1 gene transcription, RA has been found in vitro to decrease preadipocyte survival time and to inhibit or promote adipose cell differentiation depending on the dose, probably regulated by RA intracellular lipid-binding protein-II(Reference Yasmeen, Jeyakumar and Reichert59, Reference Yasmeen, Jeyakumar and Reichert69–Reference Berry, Soltanian and Noy72).

In addition to RA, retinaldehyde can also play an important role in gene expression through nuclear receptors, similar to RA(Reference Ziouzenkova, Orasanu and Sharlack8). Both in vivo and in vitro adipogenesis have been shown to regulate retinaldehyde metabolism. In addition, Ziouzenkova et al. (Reference Ziouzenkova, Orasanu and Sharlack8) demonstrated in rodents that retinaldehyde inhibits adipogenesis and suppresses PPAR and RXR response.

Retinoids and leptin

Leptin is an important adipocytokine that actively participates in the regulation of energy homoeostasis and its importance in body weight control has been demonstrated in human subjects and animals(Reference Friedman73–Reference La Cava and Matarese75). High leptin concentrations are associated with an increase in adipose tissue observed in obesity(Reference Friedman73–Reference La Cava and Matarese75). Also, leptin is induced as part of the acute phase response in response to inflammation, but it is also part of the chronic inflammation response associated with obesity(Reference Sarraf, Frederich and Turner76, Reference Conde, Scotece and Gómez77). It is now recognised that leptin regulates both the innate and adaptive immune response; low leptin concentration is associated with a higher risk of infections and high leptin concentration is responsible for increasing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels(Reference Conde, Scotece and Gómez77, Reference Stofkova78). Thus, leptin is a key modulator of inflammation and obesity.

Leptin is involved in the activation and infiltration of macrophages into WAT, the activation and development of natural killer cells, induces chemotaxis of neutrophils, suppresses the proliferation of T-regulatory cells and regulates the Th1 and Th2 response(Reference La Cava and Matarese75, Reference Lord, Matarese and Howard79–Reference Caldefie-Chezet, Poulin and Vasson83). Leptin has been shown to induce a Th1 response with an increased production of IFN-γ and TNFα(Reference Zarkesh-Esfahani, Pockley and Wu82, Reference Lord, Matarese and Howard84). In ob/ob mice, decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-1β, was observed, which is reversed when leptin is administered(Reference Siegmund, Lehr and Fantuzzi85). The interactions between leptin and other pro-inflammatory cytokines is complex, and leptin can help modulate the inflammation response(Reference Xiao, Xia-Zhang and Vulliémoz86). Therefore, leptin plays an important role in the pathways leading to chronic inflammation.

Of the different active metabolites of vitamin A, RA has been shown to participate in leptin's metabolism in both mice and human tissue(Reference Felipe, Mercader and Ribot87–Reference Menendez, Lage and Peino90). Different isomers of RA seem to have different effects on leptin expression and adipogenesis. In vitro, leptin expression is inhibited by both 9-cis- and all-trans-RA (Reference Hong, Ahn and Jung89, Reference Menendez, Lage and Peino90). However, Menendez et al.(Reference Menendez, Lage and Peino90) found that all-trans-RA has a more potent inhibitor of leptin secretion compared with 9-cis-RA. In addition, all-trans-RA increases adipogenesis in a dose-dependent way through the activation of RXR and PPARγ, while 9-cis-RA has no effect(Reference Hong, Ahn and Jung89).

Vitamin A deficiency and the immune response in obesity

Vitamin A deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health concern worldwide. Clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency include xerophthalmia, and also an increase of infectious diseases(Reference Cunningham-Rundles, McNeeley and Moon1, Reference Stephensen3, Reference Sommer, Katz and Tarwotjo91, Reference Barreto, Santos and Assis92). According to the World Health Organisation, the global prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, defined as serum retinol concentrations <0·7 μmol/l (<20 μg/dl), is 33·3 (95% CI 31·1, 35·4)% for preschool children and 15·3 (95% CI 7·4, 23·2)% for pregnant women(93). These numbers represent 190 million children and 19·1 million pregnant women worldwide.

The clinical manifestations of vitamin A deficiency are due to its effect on the immune system, mainly lymphopenia, impairment of the mucosal barriers and a decrease of the T-cell response(Reference Stephensen3, Reference Viroonudomphol, Pongpaew and Tungtrongchitr19, Reference Maggini, Stephen and Marcos94). Since the immune response is compromised, vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of parasites, bacterial and viral infections. In vitamin A deficiency, normal regeneration of the mucosal epithelial barriers is impaired and the resistance to infections is diminished. In animal models, vitamin A deficiency impaired both the humoral and cellular immunity of the intestinal mucosa probably through the modulation of the dendritic cells(Reference Yang, Yuan and Tao95).

Vitamin A deficiency and T-helper types 1 and 2 response

Vitamin A deficiency impairs both Th1 and Th2 response(Reference Stephensen3, Reference Stephensen, Rasooly and Jiang96). However, Th2 immune response is affected the most. Vitamin A deficiency down-regulates the Th2 response and up-regulates Th1 response(Reference Cantorna, Nashold and Hayes21, Reference Long and Nanthakumar23, Reference Garbe, Jochen and Hämmerling52, Reference Stephensen, Rasooly and Jiang96). In vitamin A deficiency, the antibody-mediated immunity is impaired and there is an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines that promotes a Th1 type inflammatory response, while the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-10, is reduced(Reference Cantorna, Nashold and Hayes21, Reference Garbe, Jochen and Hämmerling52, Reference Long and Santos97, Reference Aukrust, Mueller and Ueland98). It has been observed that vitamin A-deficient children had a markedly Th1 response with low concentrations of IL-10 compared with non-deficient children(Reference Jason, Archibald and Nwanyanwu25). In Indonesian children, for example, vitamin A deficiency was associated with a Th1 response(Reference Wieringa, Dijkhuizen and West99). A population of children in Venezuela with a high prevalence of vitamin A subclinical deficiency had lower IL-10 concentrations, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, compared with a group with adequate vitamin A status(Reference Leal, Castejón and Romero100). Thus, even in subclinical vitamin A deficiency, Th2 response is compromised. The elevated Th1:Th2 ratios observed in vitamin A deficiency lead to inflammation and low capacity of the body to fight infections. In animal models, vitamin A deficiency shifts from a Th2 response to a Th1 response, decreasing antibody production and Ig maturation(Reference Cantorna, Nashold and Hayes21). This increase in the inflammatory response is due to a higher production of IFN-γ by T lymphocytes(Reference Wiedermann, Chen and Enerback101, Reference Cantorna and Hayes102).

In addition to its effect on the T-cells response, vitamin A deficiency also diminishes the activity of neutrophils, macrophages and natural killer cells(Reference Cunningham-Rundles, McNeeley and Moon1, Reference Stephensen3, Reference Dawson, Li and DeCicco103). Animal models have shown that chronic marginal vitamin A status decreases number of natural killer cells and lymphocytes, affects both T-cells distribution and function, and thus increases the risk of infections with aging(Reference Dawson, Li and DeCicco103–Reference Nauss, Mark and Suskind105).

Vitamin A deficiency and the adipose tissue

The increase of the adipose tissue observed in obesity produces an increased secretion of adipocytokines, such as leptin, that, as mentioned earlier, induces an inflammatory response. Vitamin A deficiency is highly prevalent in obesity and this may produce inadequate Th1:Th2 ratio, increased leptin concentrations, and elevate pro-inflammatory cytokines levels(Reference Villaça Chaves, Pereira and Saboya18, Reference Maffei, Funicello and Vottari106, Reference Harford, Reynolds and McGillicuddy107). Vitamin A deficiency reduces not only RA levels but also retinaldehyde, and therefore may be contributing to fat deposition.

In a mouse model, vitamin A deficiency increases the expression of UCP-1 mRNA and UCP-2 mRNA expressions, thus promoting reduced thermogenesis in BAT, increased body weight and increased leptin concentrations(Reference Bonet, Oliver and Picó108). In addition, vitamin A deficiency might promote adipogenesis, adipocyte differentiation through PPAR and increased preadipocyte survival time.

Vitamin A deficiency might increase leptin expression and thus, increase the production of cytokines, contributing with the low-grade systemic inflammation observed in obesity. For example, in mice, vitamin A deficiency increased body weight, BAT, adiposity and leptin mRNA expression(Reference Bonet, Oliver and Picó108). Low RA concentrations increase leptin and resistin expressions in brown and white adipocytes(Reference Bonet, Oliver and Picó108, Reference Felipe, Bonet and Ribot109). Resistin is an adipocytokine that inhibits adipocyte differentiation and an insulin resistance factor in both cell and animal models. In vitro, RA inhibits resistin expression in both brown and white adipocytes through RAR and RXR pathways(Reference Felipe, Bonet and Ribot109).

Thus, vitamin A deficiency in obesity increases Th1 type response, increases the expression of leptin, resistin and UCP, and promotes adipogenesis. Vitamin A deficiency in obesity might be increasing the risk of fat deposition and also the risk of chronic inflammation associated with obesity.

The main activities of vitamin A, the role of vitamin A in the immune function and the effect of vitamin A deficiency on the immune function in obesity are summarised in Table 1.

Table 1. Vitamin A functions, major roles in the immune system and effects of vitamin A deficiency in undernutrition and obesity (adapted from Maggini and Stephen(Reference Maggini, Stephen and Marcos94) and Maggini and co-workers(Reference Maggini, Wintergerst and Beveridge54))

Th1, T-helper type 1 response; Th2, T-helper type 2 response; UCP, uncoupling protein; BAT, brown adipose tissue.

Vitamin A supplementation and the immune response in obesity

Supplementation of vitamin A has proven to be an effective strategy to reduce specific mortality from diarrhoea(Reference Imdad, Herzer and Mayo-Wilson12, Reference Imdad, Yakoob and Sudfeld13). Pooled results of twelve trials showed that preventive vitamin A supplementation reduced diarrhoea mortality by 30% in children aged between 6 and 59 months(Reference Imdad, Yakoob and Sudfeld13). A meta-analysis that included seven trials found a 28% reduction in specific mortality from diarrhoea when supplementing vitamin A in children aged 6 months to 5 years of age and a decrease in the incidence of diarrhoea mortality(Reference Imdad, Herzer and Mayo-Wilson12).

The effect of vitamin A supplementation on leptin and inflammatory cytokines has been studied in both in vitro and in animal studies. In vitro, vitamin A supplementation has been shown to down-regulate the inflammatory response inducing a Th2 response, with a dose-dependent increase of mRNA and protein levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13(Reference Aukrust, Mueller and Ueland98, Reference Dawson, Collins and Pyle110). Leptin expression is inhibited by RA supplementation. Supplementing mice with RA reduces leptin mRNA concentrations, in both BAT and WAT independently of adiposity and the fat content of the diet(Reference Kumar, Sunvold and Scarpace27, Reference Felipe, Mercader and Ribot87, Reference Felipe, Bonet and Ribot111). Similarly, in human adipose tissue, RA inhibits both leptin expression and secretion(Reference Hollung, Rise and Drevon88, Reference Menendez, Lage and Peino90). Furthermore, it has been observed that RA supplementation and dietary vitamin A reduce both resistin mRNA and resistin circulating concentration in animals(Reference Felipe, Bonet and Ribot109). Also, RA supplementation and vitamin A status are involved in the expression of transcription factors involved in adipogenesis and UCP in WAT and BAT in animal studies(Reference Puigserver, Vázquez and Bonet65, Reference Puigserver, Vázquez and Bonet108, Reference Puigserver, Vázquez and Bonet111–Reference Ribot, Felipe and Bonet112). In rats, a high-fat diet down-regulated PPARγ and RAR mRNA expression and up-regulated cyclooxygenase-2(Reference Delage, Bairras and Buaud51). When supplementing with RA, production of cyclooxygenase-2 was inhibited.

No studies have looked at the effect of vitamin A supplementation alone in inflammation markers in obese populations. Our group found that supplementing with low-fat milk with added micronutrients, including vitamin A, of women from rural communities in Mexico with a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, reduced more body weight, BMI and total body fat compared with a control group(Reference Rosado, García and Ronquillo113). Similarly, supplementing obese women in China with micronutrients, that also included vitamin A, resulted in less body weight and body fat than women receiving Ca supplementation alone(Reference Li, Wang and Zhu114). In both studies, vitamin A and the other micronutrients may be having an effect on leptin concentrations, and also may be reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations. Supplementing obese individuals with vitamin A may be important in populations with high vitamin A deficiency, high prevalence of obesity and chronic inflammation.

Conclusions

Retinoids are important to regulate critical pathways of the immune functions. Vitamin A deficiency has important consequences on the immune response. In obesity, vitamin A deficiency seems to increase a Th1 response and elevate adipocytokine levels, and thus, may participate in the inflammatory process involved in chronic inflammation and fat deposition. The metabolism of leptin and other adipocytokines may play a critical role in the effect of vitamin A deficiency in the inflammatory response observed in obesity. To understand how vitamin A deficiency affects the immune system in obese populations provides new insights into treatment of chronic inflammation processes.

Acknowledgements

The author declares no conflict of interest. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Figure 0

Table 1. Vitamin A functions, major roles in the immune system and effects of vitamin A deficiency in undernutrition and obesity (adapted from Maggini and Stephen(94) and Maggini and co-workers(54))