Effect of Pyridoxine Deficiency on Blood Volume Measured by RI 131 SA and Organ Weights in Rats. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Total blood and plasma volumes measured by use of radioactive iodinated serum albumin (RI¹³¹SA) were not altered from normal by chronic pyridoxine deficiency in male and female rats. The average total blood volume as determined by this radioisotopic technic is somewhat higher than values obtained elsewhere by the Evans blue dye method.

Organ weight changes have been measured and compared in pyridoxine deficient, desoxypyridoxine treated, and pyridoxine treated rats. Wet and dry weights of the liver, kidney, adrenal, spleen and testes of the deficient animals were greater compared to the pyridoxine treated rats. Administration of the antivitamin, desoxypyridoxine, to pyridoxine deficient rats not only increased the apparent hypertrophy of these organs, but also accentuated the marked atrophy of thymus associated with pyridoxine deficiency.