Reaction Produced by Lipoid Solvents in Animals Fed Diets Deficient and High in Vitamin A.

Abstract

Lipoid solvents introduced into the subcutaneous tissue of rats fed a diet deficient in vitamin A remain well encapsulated by a zone of fixed tissue cells. This zone of tissue undergoes hyalinization after a period of thirty days and the mass of lipoid solvent remains encapsulated and quiescent within this zone. 1 The livers removed from these animals present a normal appearance grossly and microscopically.

The lipoid solvents introduced into the subcutaneous tissue of rats fed on a diet rich in vitamin A break up into numerous smaller droplets, each of which is surrounded by actively dividing fixed tissue cells. After a period of sixty to ninety days nests of actively growing cells are dispersed among the remainder of the tissue in this zone, which has undergone hyalinization during this period. 1 The livers removed from these animals present a brownish-yellow appearance in the gross. Microscopically, the liver parenchyma shows a diffuse and general infiltration of fat droplets.

Lipoid solvents are encapsulated by a similar zone of fixed tissue cells in animals fed a balanced dietary. 2 In a few cases we have noted a partial breaking up of the solvent around its periphery. The liver is normal in appearance.

These lipoid solvents absorb the ergusia of the cell. Vitamin A is or furnishes the ergusia. If vitamin A is withdrawn from the system, the lipoid solvent becomes encapsulated in the subcutaneous tissue and remains quiescent. The tissue around the solvent undergoes hyalinization due to the absorption of the ergusia by the lipoid solvent.

When vitamin A is added to the system the lipoid solvent remains active for a long period of time. The lipoid solvent absorbs ergusia until it is saturated, then breaks up into droplets and migrates to other organs in the body.