Prothrombin Levels and Synthetic Vitamin K in Obstructive Jaundice of Rats. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Rats maintained on a diet low in vitamin K, and having obstructive jaundice, were used to indicate the vitamin K potency of phthiocol and of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. Data also are given to indicate the approximate maintenance requirement of this animal. Evidence at hand indicates that considerable amounts of vitamin K can be stored, provided the deficient animal is given large doses of vitamin K, or perhaps with smaller doses over a long period of time. The clinical implications of this are pointed out.