Abstract
Summary
American torula yeast, when used as the sole protein source in Vit. E free diets, induced dietary necrotic liver degeneration in rats in the same manner as reported for European yeasts. Other American yeasts did not produce the defect. With 30% torula yeast in the diet the incidence of liver degeneration in 15 consecutive experiments was 100%, the average survival time was 45.5 days.
L-Cystine reduced the incidence of the defect considerably; however, even 1.0% did not give full protection when supplementation started at the 25th day. Five mg % vit. E prevented the defect completely.
Necrosis of the liver developed very suddenly after an experimental period of 22 to S3 days and was accompanied by kidney lesions, forestomach ulcers, acute lung edema and hemorrhages in the lungs, in the lymphatic tissues and occasionally in the intestine.
Acknowledgment is made to Mr. Louis E. Lowman and Mr. William Beane for technical assistance.
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