February 25/Biotech Law Weekly -- According to recent research published in the Journal of Nutrition, "Recommendations for vitamin A intake and liver stores are based on maintaining normal vision. We propose that higher levels may be required to maintain normal innate immune function."
"To test this hypothesis, we conducted an eight-wk residential study among 36 healthy Bangladeshi men with low vitamin A stores. Subjects were randomized to receive vitamin A (240mg in 4 doses) or placebo during study weeks two and three. They received two vaccines during week five, and vitamin A stores were estimated by isotopic dilution at week eight. The serum concentration of the chemokine interferon-gamma-induced protein 10, a component of T-helper 1 (Th1) response, increased significantly after supplementation and was positively and significantly associated with vitamin A stores.