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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice
Published on: January 16, 2015
Vitamin A and emphysema
Richard C Baybutt1, Agostino Molteni
1Department of Human Nutrition, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA.
Abstract:
Within the last several years, research scientists and clinicians have been intrigued with the potential use of an active form of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), for the treatment and prevention of emphysema. The interest in this area can be largely attributed to the work of Massaro and Massaro (1996, 1997, 2000) in which they presented evidence that RA partially protects against and to some degree restores elastase-induced emphysema in rats. The mechanism for this protective effect of RA is in part related to elastin metabolism. RA also inhibits inflammation, an upstream event that may lead to the development of emphysema. Although there is evidence of this protective effect in young rats and a mechanistic explanation, more studies are needed in humans in order to establish a role for vitamin A in protecting against emphysema. Too many unanswered questions remain to definitively state that vitamin A protects against this disease in humans. Nevertheless, the potential for this novel approach in prevention and treatment of emphysema is an exciting area of research.
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