Effects of B VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES on the Leukocyte Response to EPINEPHRINE AND CORTICOTROPIN (ACTH)

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Determinations were made of the lymphocyte response to epinephrine administration of rats fed a complete diet and of animals deficient in thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, and vitamin A. A significant reduction in the peripheral lymphocyte count (presumably indicative of activated pituitary-adrenal function) occurred in all rats 3 hours post injection, with the exception of those depleted of pantothenic acid. In the latter group, in place of the usual lymphopenic response, a significant lymphocytosis occurred. Rats deficient in pantothenic acid, however, showed a significant lymphopenia following the administration of corticotropin (ACTH). It was concluded, therefore, that the adrenals of pantothenic acid-deficient rats could respond to cortical stimulation but that the pituitaries of such animals failed to liberate sufficient corticotropin in response to epinephrine administration to stimulate the production of lymphopenia-producing corticoids. Determinations were made of the lymphocyte response of pyridoxine-deficient rats after (1) a single and (2) repeated injections of epinephrine. No significant difference in lymphopenic response was observed between pyridoxine-deficient rats and those on a complete ration after a single injection of epinephrine; after 10 daily injections, however, the lymphopenic response was absent in pyridoxine-deficient rats although relatively unimpaired in supplemented controls. The above findings are discussed in respect to pituitary-adrenal function.