Deficiency of Vitamins A and B Complex in Concentration of Blood and Tissue Enzymes of Albino Rat. ∗ VI

We have reported 1 that in vitamin A deficiency there is a marked decrease in the concentration of blood serum esterase, an appreciable decrease in hepatic esterase, and a marked increase in hepatic lipase. In vitamin B₁ deficiency there is a marked decrease in the digestive efficiency of pancreatic esterase and a moderate decrease in the concentration of pancreatic and hepatic lipase, suggesting a disturbance in the digestion of fats in this avitaminosis. An appreciable increase in the concentration of blood serum phosphatase was found in a deficiency of the vitamin B complex.

In this communication we are submitting summarized data on the influence of multiple avitaminosis (deficiency of vitamins A and the B complex) on the concentration of blood and tissue enzymes of the albino rat. The animals were 6 to 9 weeks old and weighed 106 to 118 gm. at the beginning of the experiments. A total of 304 titrations were carried out in duplicate. The results are given in Table I.

We conclude that the multiple avitaminosis of vitamins A and the B complex did not show increased disturbance in enzyme concentrations. The pronounced disturbance in blood serum esterase is due to vitamin A deficiency. The marked decrease in pancreatic esterase and the moderate decrease in hepatic lipase are to be credited to vitamin B₁ deficiency.