Effect of deficiency of vitamin B complex on the “redox” system in the eye-lens

Abstract

A new technique for estimating vit. C by a method of back-titra-tion permits estimating (within 10%) the indophenol-reducing capacity of the lens from a single normal rat. This capacity, so detd., is greatly diminished in rats which have been fed diets lacking in various constituents of the vit. B complex. In extreme cases, extracts of the lens, instead of reducing, actually oxidize ascorbic acid, apparently not owing to deficiency of vit. B1, B2 (either flavin or anti-pellgara factor), "H" or A. Raw egg-white possesses marked prophylactic and curative action. The blood of normal and of deficient animals contains an oxidizing agency similar to that found under certain conditions in the lens.