Effect of a vitamin A-free diet on [3H]diazepam and [3H]GABA binding in the rat retina.

Benzodiazepine and GABA binding sites in the rat retina are influenced by a vitamin A-free diet. In rats fed a vitamin A-free diet, the total number of [3H]GABA and [3H]diazepam binding sites was markedly higher than in rats given a balanced diet. No differences were found in the apparent affinities of [3H]GABA and [3H]diazepam for their specific binding sites. The results suggest that GABA and benzodiazepine binding sites have a role in the function of the retina.