PYRIDOXINE DEFICIENCY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM IN THE RAT

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Abstract
—: Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) deficiency was produced in rats during the period of development of the central nervous system. The levels of pyridoxal phosphate and y‐amino‐butyric acid in whole brains of these rats were determined, together with the activities of glutamate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15) and γ‐aminobutyrate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.19). The lowered contents of pyridoxal phosphate and γ‐aminobutyrate in the brains confirmed the existence of pyridoxine deficiency. The activity of the glutamate decarboxylase holo‐enzyme was decreased, whereas the activity of the apoenzyme was increased. However, there appeared to be no difference in the activity of γ‐aminobutyrate aminotransferase.Concomitantly, some electrophysiological parameters, such as EEG and auditory evoked potentials, were analysed. The EEG of pyridoxine‐deficient animals showed spike activity, presumably indicative of the existence of seizures in many of the deficient rats. Evoked potentials presented abnormalities in their latency, wave form and response to repetitive stimuli, but the extent to which they were affected depended upon the intensity of the deficiency.