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

The effect of vitamin A deficiency on the incorporation \nof radioactive sulfate (N 37S014,) into the acid mucopolysaccharides \nof rat skin has been studied. \nWeanling rats were maintained on a vitamin A deficient \ndiet and Na,37S0,. injected, into groups of rats at various \nstages of dtficiWncy. The MPS from the skin were isolated and \ntheir constituents - uronic acid, Hexosamine and Sulfate, \nprotein and the 535 activity associated with the MPS determined. \nSimilar data was obtained for MPS isolated from skins of \nvitamin A supplemented controls'. Fractionation of the MPS \non DEAE-Sephadex was also carried out \nThe results of these-studies show that vitamin A deficiency \nresulted in increased incorporation of S35 into rat \nskin MPS. The proportion of sulfated and non-sulfated MPS was \nalso affected suggesting that vitamin A deficiency affects the \nturnover rate of sulfated and non-sulfated MPS of rat skin'.