Production in Dogs of a Syndrome Similar to Sprue by Diets Deficient in Vitamin B 2

Abstract

The value of the vitamin B complex in the therapy of sprue in Porto Rico has been established. 1 In cases of severe anemia its oral administration effected reticulocyte rises and improvement of blood values. In other cases presenting glossitis and diarrhea without severe anemia, the symptoms were promptly and completely relieved. These observations suggested that lack of vitamin B might be an important factor in the etiology of sprue. Accordingly, experiments with 50 dogs have been carried out to ascertain the effect of prolonged feeding of diets partially but not completely deficient in vitamin B₂.

The animals used were as old and as large as could be obtained. They were kept under uniform conditions. The diet fed was a modification of the Goldberger “black tongue producing ”diet. It was low in protein, high in fat and carbohydrate, and contained only the vitamin B present in rice polishings. It contained the following ingredients:

The corn meal, peas and casein were thoroughly mixed and cooked 2 hours in a steam cooker. The sugar, oil, rice polishings, and salt mixture were then added. This amount was given daily to 40 dogs. The animals were allowed as much of the diet as they would take.

Careful studies of the blood were made at regular intervals. A certain number of the dogs fed the diet deficient in vitamin B₂ acquired a condition similar in some respects to sprue in human beings. The remainder developed a syndrome to be described later. Stomatitis was present in a mild degree in all. The buccal mucous membrane was injected and contained a variable number of circumscribed yellowish aphthae. Glossitis was a marked feature. In the earliest stages atrophy of the papillae of the tip and sides of the tongue occurred, leaving a smooth, deep pink to red surface.