Vitamin A deficiency and male-specific effects on heart function in mice

Authors

Ian M. Gans, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Health Institute for Research, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME, USA. Electronic address: ian.gans@mainehealth.org.
Elena Chepurko, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Health Institute for Research, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME, USA.
Vadim Chepurko, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Health Institute for Research, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME, USA.
Grazina A. Mangoba, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Health Institute for Research, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME, USA.
Mary Ann Asson-Batres, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Health Institute for Research, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME, USA; Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Calvin P. Vary, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Health Institute for Research, 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-8-2025

Institution/Department

Center for Molecular Medicine

Journal Title

Biochemical and biophysical research communications

MeSH Headings

Animals; Male; Mice; Vitamin A Deficiency (metabolism, physiopathology, complications); Myocardial Infarction (metabolism, physiopathology, genetics); Liver (metabolism); Vitamin A (metabolism, blood); Acyltransferases (deficiency, genetics, metabolism); Myocardium (metabolism); Heart (physiopathology); Female; Myocardial Contraction; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Abstract

Hepatic stores of Vitamin A (retinol) are mobilized and metabolized in the heart following myocardial infarction. The physiological consequences of this mobilization are poorly understood. Here we used dietary depletion in a lecithin retinol acyltransferase mutant mouse line to induce Vitamin A deficiency and investigate the effects on cardiac function and recovery from myocardial infarction. We found that uninjured Vitamin A-depleted hearts had decreased contractile function but, paradoxically, improved recovery after injury. These effects on cardiac function were specific to male mice, which experienced more rapid and severe depletion of circulating Vitamin A. Following injury, Vitamin A deficiency also caused hepatic hypolipidemia and gene expression changes in heart and liver suggesting altered metabolism contributed to cardiac phenotypes.

First Page

151300

Recommended Citation

Gans IM, Chepurko E, Chepurko V, et al. Vitamin A deficiency and male-specific effects on heart function in mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025;748:151300. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.151300