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From the Research
Vitamin A and Wound Healing
- Vitamin A, also known as retinol, plays a crucial role in wound healing by stimulating epidermal turnover, increasing the rate of re-epithelialization, and restoring epithelial structure 1.
- Retinoids, a form of vitamin A, have been shown to enhance production of extracellular matrix components such as collagen type I and fibronectin, increase proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and decrease levels of degrading matrix metalloproteinases 1.
- Vitamin A has also been demonstrated to reverse the inhibitory effects of anti-inflammatory steroids on wound healing, making it a valuable component of wound care 1.
Mechanisms of Action
- Vitamin A functions through nuclear retinoic acid receptors, retinoid X receptors, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors to regulate the growth and differentiation of many cell types within skin 1.
- In an in vitro model, vitamin A was shown to increase cellular proliferation, stimulate angiogenesis, and exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, highlighting its potential therapeutic benefits in wound healing 2.
- Vitamin A has also been shown to increase wound tensile strength in rats with marginal vitamin A status, particularly when supplemented with retinyl acetate, beta-carotene, or retinoic acid 3.
Role in Wound Care
- Vitamins, including vitamin A, have been suggested to modulate the various stages of wound healing through a variety of proposed mechanisms 4.
- Nutritional support, including vitamin A, is essential for proper wound healing, as deficiencies can impede the healing process 5.
- Vitamin A, along with other nutrients such as vitamin C and protein, is necessary for epithelial and bone formation, cellular differentiation, and immune function, making it a crucial component of wound care 5.