Utilization of Vitamin B 12 by Rats With Pantothenic Acid Deficiency

Abstract

Summary

The metabolic pattern and the sparing effect of Vit. B₁₂ were studied in pantothenic acid deficient rats with the following results: 1) The liver of pantothenic acid deficient rats had higher Vit. B₁₂ content than the control. The plasma Vit. B₁₂ level, however, was not elevated in the deficient rats. 2) Administration of a large dose of Vit. B₁₂ to rats receiving a suboptimal dose of pantothenic acid had a sparing effect on survival rate. 3) Absorption and excretion of radioactive Vit. B₁₂ were not impaired in pantothenic acid deficiency. 4) Radioactive Vit. B₁₂ introduced either by intestinal absorption or by injection was retained more in the liver in pantothenic acid deficient rats than in the pantothenic acid supplemented control.