The Physiological Rôle of Vitamin B. Part I

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Abstract
Oxidative activity of muscle and liver tissue of rats and pigeons estimated either by direct measurements of O consumption or by rate of anaerobic reduction of methylene blue is not reduced as a result of withholding vitamin B, confirming the observations of Roche. The resting O consumption of rats deprived of vitamin B remains at a normal level until the final phase of the condition of malnutrition induced by the deficiency. This phase, lasting 1-3 days, is characterized by a sharp fall of body-weight, rectal temp., and O consumption. A deficiency of vitamin B causes a progressive failure of appetite, leading eventually to almost complete abstention from food, which is the probable cause of the fall of body temp. and O consumption in the final phase. That this view is probably correct, and that there is no interference with the oxidative mechanisms of the tissues as a result of deprivation of vitamin B, is shown by the fact that animals exhibiting the premortal fall of body temp. and O consumption will yield approximately normal values for the latter measurement after their temp. has been artificially raised to normal by warming in a bath. This recovery is, as would be expected, of very short duration. Further evidence in support of this view is provided by the fact that in both inanition and vitamin B-deficiency a state of hyperglycemia develops, associated with a hypertrophy of the adrenal glands, but is followed by a sharp fall to values much below normal, during which period occurs the fall of body temp. and O consumption. It is concluded that in the case of rats, at any rate, the nutritive failure following a deficiency of vitamin B is virtually identical with that resulting from starvation.