SHORT TERM EFFECT OF GRADED DOSES OF VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENT

ABSTRACT

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It plays a central role in many essential biological processes. Its function as a chromophore in the visual process has been recognized in decades. Early research has also showed that vitamin A deficiency and excess dramatically change the differentiation of epithelial cells. Vitamin A derivatives have been used to treat various human diseases. Some Studies have shown that Vitamin A supplement can increase the tear quality in patient with dry eye syndrome.The purpose of this study is to investigate the short-term effect of graded doses of oral vitamin A supplement on tear quantity and quality. This research is a comparative experimental study comprising of 40 healthy subjects with an age range of 18-45 and mean of 24. Subjects were grouped into 4 groups, ten (10) in each group; Group A Subjects were given 50,000IU of Vitamin A supplement, Group B Subjects were given 25,000IU of Vitamin A supplement, Group C Subjects were given 12,500IU of Vitamin A supplement, Group D Subjects were given 50cl of water and were used as the control group.A brief history was taken on the subjects to determine those that were suitable and healthy for the study. Before the administration of Vitamin A supplement, the tear break up time and schirmers test was measured, and recorded. A daily dose of vitamin A was administered one capsule per day for a period of 5 days. The values gotten before the administration of vitamin A and the values gotten after the administration of vitamin A was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. For the comparison of variables, statistical tables and graphs was drawn to represent data. From the result and statistical analysis of data, there was a significant difference in the tear quantity and tear quality of subjects in Group A, B and C before and after Vitamin A intake (P<0.05)..