Synthetic vitamin molecular activities

Retinoids include natural compounds and synthetic derivatives of retinol that exhibit vitamin A activity. Retinoids have many important functions throughout the body, including roles in vision, regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, and bone growth, immune defense, and tumor suppression. Because vitamin A affects normal epithelial differentiation, it was investigated as a treatment for cutaneous disorders but was abandoned initially because of unfavorable side effects. Molecular modifications yielded compounds with vastly improved margins of safety. 

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