THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN B COMPLEX DEFICIENCY ON THE WATER CONTENT OF THE BODY AND VARIOUS ORGANS OF THE ALBINO RAT

Abstract

The water content of the body of the albino rat was not directly affected by deprivation of the vit. B complex. When the animals were allowed to eat ad libitum the % of body water was higher on the B free than on the same ration to which yeast was added. This, however, was not due to the lack of the vit. complex but to the reduction in food intake resulting from the vit. deficiency. The animals on the B free ration lost 23% of their body wt. whereas the controls gained 35%. When the food intake was equalized the water content of the body on the 2 rations was the same. The % of water in the skin, like that of the body, was greatly increased as a result of the diminution in food intake consequent to B complex deficiency. Reduction in the food intake resulting from a deficiency of the B complex had no effect on the water content of the brain, liver, kidneys and gastrocnemius muscle. These results suggest that the edema encountered in beri-beri may not be the direct effect of a deficiency of any of the fractions of the vit. B complex.