CYTOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE ADRENAL CORTEX OF THE RAT IN PYRIDOXINE DEFICIENCY*

Abstract

Evidence is presented that severe pyridoxine deficiency causes morph. alterations in the adrenal cortex. Significant enlargement of the adrenal gland of pyridoxine-depleted rats, predominantly involving the zona fasciculata, was observed when severe pyridoxine deficiency was produced with the vitamin antagonist, desoxypyridoxine. This effect of pyridoxine deprivation was not a consequence of caloric restriction. The microscopic appearance of the adrenal cortex was greatly altered in pyridoxine-deficiency. The zona fasciculata showed a progressive loss, to the point of extinction, of sudanophilic lipoid, birefringent material and cholesterol. In sections treated with dinitrophenylhydrazine, sulfuric acid or Schiff''s reagent, a comparable decrease in affinity for stain was found in this zone. The amt. of ascorbic acid-like material in the cells of the adrenal cortex was reduced in deficient animals. The administration of a single dose of pyridoxine to pyridoxine-depleted rats receiving desoxypyridoxine produced a rapid restoration of lipoid and cholesterol in the zona fasciculata.