Effects of vitamin A deficiency and adrenalectomy on ubiquinone and substance SC in rat liver

Abstract

The rises in ubiquinone and substance concentration SC which occur in the livers of vitamin A-deficient rats may be hastened if at an early stage in the deficiency the rats are bilaterally adrenalectomized. If, however, the deficiency syndrome is already far advanced adrenalectomy does not noticeably influence the concentrations of minor constituents of liver unsaponifiable matter. In rats on a stock diet adrenalectomy brought about no striking changes in liver vitamin A (range 137-216 I.U./g of liver), ubiquinone content (range 110-133 [mu]g /g) or sterol content (range 1.80-2.23 mg./g). Substance SC was not present in more than trace amounts.