摘要: Retinol, also known as vitamin A, is essential for life. Retinol in the human body produced by a series of metabolic processes that begin with dietary intake β-carotene and retinyl esters. Retinoic acid (RA) one most potent physiologic metabolites retinol. RA are pre- postnatal development lung induction, maintenance, regeneration differentiated epithelial cells proximal distal parts lung. These effects mediated mainly through nuclear receptors receptor retinoid X receptor. RA-bound dimers transactivate target genes complexed numerous transcriptional coactivators. Recent observations exogeneous regenerates alveoli septum damaged elastase rat model suggest possibility using retinoids or novel targets signaling pathways involved to treat emphysema. Some natural synthetic used prevent several types tumors have been clinically effective. Better understanding biologic their regulated differentially normal cancer will help researchers exploit beneficial aspects prevention treatment cancers.