Cataract- and Dermatitis-Producing Nutritional Factors

Abstract

Cataract has been produced experimentally by parathyroidectomy, pancreatectomy, vitamin G-low diets, 1 lactose-rich 2 and galactose-containing 3 diets. In human subjects dinitrophenol has been reported as likewise cataract-producing. The difficulty of reconciling these diverse precipitating conditions is great, and in fact may not be possible. However, it is interesting to speculate upon the possible interrelation of the 2 obviously nutritional factors, vitamin G (B₂) and lactose.

The delay in, or interference with, complete absorption accompanying the presence of large amounts of lactose or galactose in the intestine and the frequent gastro-intestinal absorption difficulties in clinical conditions associated with vitamin G deficiency, for example pellagra, pernicious anemia and sprue, offer a possible common avenue of attack upon the problem. The present study was planned to test the bearing of such absorption-disturbances upon the production of cataract, of dermatitis and of growth-abnormality.

The diets used are of the usual vitamin-testing type containing casein purified by repeated extraction with 60% alcohol and varying chiefly in the carbohydrate fraction and in the supplement.