The Effects of B Vitamins, Liver and Yeast on Atabrine Toxicity in the Rat

Abstract

The administration of toxic doses of atabrine to immature female rats maintained on a synthetic ration resulted in marked retardation of growth, alopecia, inhibition of ovarian development, enlarged submaxillary glands, granulocytosis and myocardial damage as indicated by electrocardiographic tracings. These effects were largely counteracted by the addition of desiccated whole liver or yeast to the basal ration and, to a lesser extent, by the administration of additional B vitamins. Whole liver was more effective than yeast or the additional B vitamins in promoting growth and ovarian development in the immature atabrine-fed rat. On atabrine-free rations no abnormalities were observed on any of the diets employed. The protective factor(s) was present in the water-insoluble fraction of whole liver. The suggestion is made that in addition to the known B vitamins, still other factors are present in whole liver and yeast that are required in increased amounts by the atabrine-fed rat.