Effect of vitamin A deficiency on the acid mucopolysaccharides of rat skin.

The effect of vitamin A deficiency on the incorporation
of radioactive sulfate (N 37S014,) into the acid mucopolysaccharides
of rat skin has been studied.
Weanling rats were maintained on a vitamin A deficient
diet and Na,37S0,. injected, into groups of rats at various
stages of dtficiWncy. The MPS from the skin were isolated and
their constituents - uronic acid, Hexosamine and Sulfate,
protein and the 535 activity associated with the MPS determined.
Similar data was obtained for MPS isolated from skins of
vitamin A supplemented controls'. Fractionation of the MPS
on DEAE-Sephadex was also carried out
The results of these-studies show that vitamin A deficiency
resulted in increased incorporation of S35 into rat
skin MPS. The proportion of sulfated and non-sulfated MPS was
also affected suggesting that vitamin A deficiency affects the
turnover rate of sulfated and non-sulfated MPS of rat skin'.