Absorption of Glucose From Alimentary Tract of Rats Deprived of Vitamin B Complex.

Abstract

Rats from 3 different colonies were placed upon adequate diets and diets deficient in the vitamin B complex. The absorption of glucose from the alimentary tract of these rats was determined by means of the method devised by Cori. 1

The rate of absorption of glucose was not constant for the 1, 2, and 3-hour periods, there being a marked falling off during the last hour of a 3-hour period. This does not agree with Cori's findings.

The percentage of glucose absorbed during 1, 2, and 3-hour periods appeared to be dependent upon the amount of glucose remaining unabsorbed in the alimentary tract.

Two groups of animals which had been on a diet containing no vitamin B absorbed a smaller percentage of the glucose fed than did normal animals. A third group of animals, which had come from a colony whose members were able to resist the effects of vitamin B-deprivation, did not show a decreased absorption of glucose following a period during which they had received a diet containing no vitamin B.