They are also the precursors of inflammatory mediators, such as linolenic acid, becoming eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, and linoleic acid becoming arachidonic acid. Vitamin A facilitates production of carotene, which stimulates protein synthesis in epithelial tissues and results in appropriate cellular differentiation in growth and maintenance of cellular integrity and efficient epithelialization. Vitamin A also reverses the inhibitory effects of corticosteroids on the inflammatory phase of wound repair. Vitamin D is essential to the proper regulation of calcium and phosphorous levels. It is needed for the proper development and repair of bone.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant and protects lipid components of cell-membranes from oxidation.
Although often topically used by surgeons to minimize scar formation, definitive research and proof linking vitamin E to wound healing is lacking. Vitamin K helps regulate the synthesis of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X at the ribosomal level in the liver and is also a calcium-binding protein required in bone metabolism. The water soluble vitamins, vitamin C and the B-complex of vitamins, are not stored or synthesized by the body, so they require a daily dietary intake. It is essential to the synthesis of collagen in posttranslational hydroxylation of proline and lysine. At a more basic level, it influences collagen messenger RNA levels.