Retinyl palmitate
Retinyl palmitate, or vitamin A palmitate, is the ester of retinol (vitamin A) and palmitic acid, with formula C36H60O2. It is the most abundant form of vitamin A storage in animals.[2]
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Preferred IUPAC name
(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-yl hexadecanoate | |||
Other names
Retinol palmitate | |||
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.001.117 | ||
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Properties | |||
Chemical formula |
C36H60O2 | ||
Molar mass | 524.86 g/mol | ||
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In water, ethanol and ethers[1] | ||
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references |
An alternate spelling, retinol palmitate, which violates the -yl organic chemical naming convention for esters, is also frequently seen.
Biology
Animals use long-chain esters of vitamin A, most abundantly the palmitate form, as a form of vitamin A storage. The storage reaction is catalyzed by LRAT, and the inverse is catalyzed by REH.[2] The esters are also intermediates in the visual cycle: RPE65 isomerizes the retinyl part to 11-cis-retinal.[2]
Uses
Vitamin A palmitate is a common vitamin supplement, available in both oral and injectable forms for treatment of vitamin A deficiency, under the brand names Aquasol A, Palmitate A and many others. It is a constituent of intra ocular treatment for dry eyes at a concentration of 138 μg/g (VitA-Pos) by Ursapharm. It is a pre-formed version of vitamin A; therefore, the intake should not exceed the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Overdosing preformed Vitamin A forms such as retinyl palmitate leads to adverse physiological reactions (hypervitaminosis A).[3]
Retinyl palmitate is used as an antioxidant and a source of vitamin A added to low fat milk and other dairy products to replace the vitamin content lost through the removal of milk fat. Palmitate is attached to the alcohol form of vitamin A, retinol, in order to make vitamin A stable in milk.
Retinyl palmitate is also a constituent of some topically applied skin care products. After its absorption into the skin, retinyl palmitate is converted to retinol, and ultimately to retinoic acid (the active form of vitamin A present in Retin-A), though neither its skin absorption[4] nor its conversion[5] is very effective.
Carcinogenicity controversy
New York Senator Chuck Schumer has called attention to the fact that high doses of topical retinyl palmitate were shown to accelerate cancer in lab animals,[6] fueling the sunscreen controversy in the popular press.[7] One toxicological analysis determined that "there is no convincing evidence to support the notion that [retinyl palmitate] in sunscreens is carcinogenic."[7] A technical report issued thereafter by the National Toxicology Program concluded that diisopropyl adipate increased incidence of skin tumors in mice, and the addition of either retinoic acid or retinyl palmitate both exacerbated the rate and frequency of tumors.[8]
Teratogenicity
World Health Organization recommendation on Maternal Supplementation During Pregnancy states that "health benefits are expected for the mother and her developing fetus with little risk of detriment to either, from a daily supplement not exceeding 10,000 IU [preformed] vitamin A (3000 μg RE) at any time during pregnancy."[9] Preformed Vitamin A refers to retinyl palmitate and retinyl acetate.
See also
- Vitamin A
- Retinyl acetate
- Vitamin supplement
References
- William M. Haynes (2014–2015). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (95th ed.). CRC Press. p. 622. ISBN 978-1-4822-08672..
- O'Byrne, SM; Blaner, WS (July 2013). "Retinol and retinyl esters: biochemistry and physiology". Journal of Lipid Research. 54 (7): 1731–43. doi:10.1194/jlr.R037648. PMC 3679378. PMID 23625372.
- Vitamin A, Linus Pauling Institute
- E. A. Duell, S. Kang & J. J. Voorhees (1997). "Unoccluded retinol penetrates human skin in vivo more effectively than unoccluded retinyl palmitate or retinoic acid". The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 109 (3): 301–305. doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12335788. PMID 9284094.
- Boehnlein, James; Sakr, Adel; Lichtin, J. Leon; Bronaugh, Robert L. (1994). "Characterization of Esterase and Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activity in Skin. Metabolism of Retinyl Palmitate to Retinol (Vitamin A) During Percutaneous Absorption". Pharmaceutical Research. 11 (8): 1155–1159. doi:10.1023/A:1018941016563. ISSN 0724-8741. PMID 7971717. S2CID 25458156.
- "Possible link between ingredient in sunscreen and skin cancer: Schumer". New York Daily News. June 14, 2010.
- Wang, SQ; Dusza, SW; Lim, HW (2010). "Safety of retinyl palmitate in sunscreens: a critical analysis". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 63 (5): 903–6. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2010.07.015. PMID 20692724.
- National Toxicology Program. (2012). NTP technical report on the photocarcinogenesis study of retinoic acid and retinyl palmitate [CAS Nos. 302-79-4 (All-trans-retinoic acid) and 79-81-2 (All-trans-retinyl palmitate)] in SKH-1 mice (Simulated solar light and topical application study). Available at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/LT_rpts/TR568_508.pdf. Accessed September 19, 2013.
- Safe vitamin A dosage during pregnancy and lactation (PDF), WHO, 1998.