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Effect of Vitamin B-6 Deficiency on Preference for Several Taste Solutions in the Rat

Monell Chemical Senses Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

The effect of dietary-induced vitamin B-6 (B-6) deficiency on the intake of the taste solutions, sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium saccharin (NaSacc), quinine sulfate (QS), and hydrochloric acid (HCl) was studied using a 48 hour, two-bottle choice technique. The B-6 deficient group demonstrated increased preference to 1.5 x 10^-1 and 3.0 x 10^-1 M NaCl compared to control ad libitum fed and control pair-fed groups. Total fluid intake on NaCl test days was also elevated in the B-6 deficient rats. There was no significant difference in the mean preference to NaSacc, QS, or HCl among the three groups. Adrenal hypertrophy was observed in the deficient rats. There was no change in the plasma level of Na and Zn but there was a reduction in urinary Na excretion. When the deficient rats were replenished by intraperitoneal injection of pyridoxine·HCl and feeding with the control diet containing adequate B-6, the increased preference for NaCl was extinguished, suggesting that the preference alteration was reversible. Urinary Na excretion also returned to normal.

KEY WORDS: • vitamin B-6 • taste preference • xanthurenic acid

Manuscript received 21 June 1978.