Intestinal Absorption of Vitamin a and Short Bowel Syndrome

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is required for many physiological activities. Short bowel (SB) syndrome is caused by resection of a large part of the small intestine due to various diseases, and SB patients suffer from insufficient absorption of every kind of nutrient, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Among them, vitamin A has a trophic effect on intestinal epithelial cells, facilitating “intestinal adaptation”. In this short review, we introduce studies reported thus far regarding vitamin A absorption using SB model animals. Histological and physiological changes caused by small bowel resection are now understood at the molecular level. More detailed understanding of the effects of major bowel resection on nutrient absorption, especially of vitamin A, will contribute to improved management of SB syndrome in the future.