Abstract
Summary
The effect of acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate on the growth of rats and vit. B12 levels in blood and liver of rats was studied. Continued and prolonged injection of acetoacetate as well as β-hydroxybutyrate caused depression of growth and marked depletion of vit. B12 in blood and liver. There was also a significant reduction in liver sulphydryl content and alteration in other liver constituents such as protein, lipid and RNA.
Animals treated with vit. B12 showed partial growth depression, and normal liver and blood vit. B12 content and other constituents in liver in experimental animals. It is suggested that pituitary may be involved in depletion of vit. B12 as a result of injection of ketone bodies.
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