Vitamin A-Deficient Diet Accelerated Atherogenesis in Apolipoprotein E^−/− Mice and Dietary β-Carotene Prevents This Consequence

Figure 2

Plasma and liver retinol and β-carotene concentrations. Plasma retinol concentrations were similar in all groups (a), liver retinol concentration decreased significantly in VAD group (b), liver βc isomer concentrations were significantly higher in VAD-BC group compared to BC group (c), and serum all-trans RA concentrations were similar in all groups (d). Retinol, βc, and RA were analyzed following 15 weeks of treatments (Exp. 1). Values are means ± SE, = 5–8. Within each graph, means without a common letter differ, . Dunaliella treated group (BC); vitamin A-deficient diet group (VAD); vitamin A-deficient diet fortified with Dunaliella group (VAD-BC); retinoic acid (RA).

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)