Plasma somatomedin activity in vitamin A deficient children.

A role for vitamin A in the sulphation of mucopolysaccharides has been suggested. Somatomedin, a growth hormone dependent serum factor, has also been shown to stimulate the uptake of sulphate by cartilage. Therefore studies were undertaken on vitamin A deficient children to examine the possible interrelationship between vitamin A and somatomedin activity. Plasma somatomedin activity was markedly lowered in vitamin A deficient children and plasma HGH levels were in the normal range. The data suggest that vitamin A and somatomedin may be interrelated and also that plasma somatomedin activity may not always be determined by plasma growth hormone levels.