A fatal Vitamin E Deficiency Disease in Rats Characterized by Massive Lung Hemorrhage and Liver Necrosis

Abstract

Young rats died of an acute vitamin E deficiency when restricted to a 10% casein diet. Death occurred suddenly in over 75% of the male rats between the 6th and 12th week, or after an average of 71 days on the diet. Death was characterized by massive lung hemorrhage, centrilobular or massive necrosis of the liver, and distention of the subcutaneous blood vessels. Protection against the fatal disease was given by alphatocopherol or by increasing the casein to a level of 16% in the diet. The disease occurred when the casein in the diet was replaced with 16% oxidized casein plus 0.3% tryptophan and up to 1% methionine. Cystine was slightly protective, but neither methionine nor theophylline was of benefit when included in the 10% casein diet at a 0.1% level.