Vitamin E Deficiency and Xanthine Oxidase in Rabbits. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Vit. E-deficient rabbits with muscular dystrophy had elevated liver xanthine oxidase activity. This increase was observed in the presence or absence of added dietary molybdenum, and with 15 or 24% casein in the diet. Low intestinal xanthine oxidase levels were not increased during vit. E deficiency. Xanthine oxidase was not detected in rabbit heart, lung, kidney, spleen, brain, or skeletal muscle normally or during vit. E deficiency. The molybdenum content of various rabbit tissues was influenced by the Mo content of the diet, but was not altered by the presence or absence of vit. E.