Abstract
Summary
The work output of the gastrocnemius muscle of the perfused frog has been determined following the addition of riboflavin to the perfusion fluid in concentrations ranging from 0.0000001 to 0.1 mM per liter.
The total work output was significantly increased by the addition of 0.00001 mM riboflavin per liter. Concentrations below this level were ineffective. A significant improvement in total work output was observed with riboflavin concentrations up to and including 0.01 mM per liter; with concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 mM per liter, the improvement was not statistically significant.
The extent of muscle contraction after 8-11 minutes of work was significantly increased by the addition of 0.00001 to 0.01 mM of riboflavin per liter of perfusion fluid.
When a mixture of thiamine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, nicotinic acid amide, pyridoxine hydrochloride and riboflavin, each at optimal concentrations is added to the perfusion fluid; the improvement in total work output is no greater than that observed with the most effective vitamins singly (thiamine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, and pyridoxine hydrochloride).
The addition of 20 units of insulin per liter of perfusion fluid along with the vitamin mixture did not result in any greater increase in work output than that observed with the vitamins alone.
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