The influence of pyridoxine on fat metabolism in the rat

The role of pyridoxine in fat metabolism has been the subject ofanumber ofinvestigations. McHenry & Gavin (1938) reported that supplementation of a synthetic diet with a concentrate of rice polishings together with vitamin B1, riboflavin and choline resulted in a greater deposition of body fat than occurred with vitamin B1 and riboflavin alone. The inclusion of rice concentrate of rice polishings provided a good supply of pyridoxine. Each of these factors appeared to contribute to the increase ofbody fat, the effect being, at least in part, independent of appetite stimulation. In later work these authors They interpreted their results on the hypothesis that pyridoxine is required for the synthesis of fat from protein, and suggested that it is necessary for such stages of protein metabolism as may be essential for the conversion of protein into carbohydrate. Sure & Easterling (1949) compared the body fat of groups of rats maintained for 26-63 days on diets with and without pyridoxine with that of weanling animals fed for 1 week on a stock diet. A paired-feeding technique was employed in these experiments. During the experimental period the pyridoxine-deficient animals suffered a mean loss of 0-24 g. fat, whereas those receiving pyridoxine showed a mean gain of 8-12 g. fat.