Chemical synthesis, growth-promoting activity, and metabolism of all-trans retinyl beta-glucose in the rat.

Reaction of all-trans retinol with alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide tetrabenzoate in the presence of silver carbonate gave all-trans retinyl beta-glucose in good yield. Depending on the mode of administration, retinyl beta-glucose, which is soluble in water, showed 67-100% of the growth-promoting activity of retinyl acetate in vitamin A-deficient rats. In metabolic studies on vitamin A-deficient rats, retinyl beta-glucose was rapidly hydrolyzed to retinol. The possible therapeutic uses of retinyl glucose are discussed.