Abstract
Summary
Muscular dystrophy was produced in rats by feeding a diet deficient in vitamin K, beginning at birth. At the age of 5 months muscle necrosis and muscle regeneration was evident histologically and chemical studies showed elevation of the chloride and water concentrations of the muscles.
Subsequent addition of wheat germ oil or vitamin E concentrate to the diet for 2 to 3 months resulted in complete recovery with respect to the concentration of chloride and water in the muscle. Histologically the muscles showed practically no evidence of necrosis. Despite the chemical and histological evidence of recovery the muscles still lacked the ability to develop the normal amount of tension when tested by quantitative methods.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.