Effect of Certain Necrosis-Preventing Factors on Hemolysis in Vitamin E-Deficient Rats and Chicks

Abstract

The rate of depletion of vitamin E in rats and chicks was followed by determining the sensitivity of the erythrocytes to the hemolyzing action of dialuric acid in vitro. This rate was not affected by replacing dietary casein with either brewers' or torula yeast up to levels as high as 60% of yeast. Selenium, methionine, cystine, methylene blue and 2,6-ditertiarybutyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) did not alter the rate of hemolysis under the conditions employed. However, N-N′-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD) prevented or minimized hemolysis even when the rats had been depleted of vitamin E for long periods of time. These results are contrasted to the activities of these compounds against liver necrosis. Preliminary experiments showed that hemolysis may also be used as an indication of vitamin E-depletion in chicks.