Explore the role and prospects of retinol in modern medicine - A review of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer

¹ School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing XiaoZhuang University, 211171, Jiangsu, China
² Sino-French College of Engineers, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 214443, Jiangsu, China
³ School of Chemistry and Materials science, Hunan agricultural University, 410128, Hunan, China

^* Corresponding author: 1421413688@stu.hunau.edu.cn

Abstract

This paper reviews the applications of retinol in modern medicine, with a particular focus on its role in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer treatment. Retinol, as a biologically active compound, demonstrates unique effects not only in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases but also exhibits potential applications in cancer therapy. The paper first explores how retinol influences disease states through regulating molecular mechanisms such as retinol-binding protein 4. Subsequently, it analyzes clinical application instances and associated challenges. By employing both cross-sectional and longitudinal data analyses, correlations between retinol and pathological states are revealed. Finally, the paper discusses the prospects and potential economic benefits of retinol in treating various diseases, emphasizing its importance in early diagnosis and treatment while also outlining future research directions. This study not only provides scientific evidence for further applications of retinol but also offers new therapeutic perspectives for clinical medicine.