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Oral Manifestations in Rats Fed Synthetic Diets Deficient in Pantothenic Acid and Biotin¹

I. Methods and General Gross Symptoms

Two Figures

Department of Dentistry and Biochemistry of the Faculty of Medicine, Columbia University, New York

This investigation is concerned with the changes produced in rats fed one of two synthetic diets complete in every respect except for pantothenic acid, panthenol (a synthetic alcohol of pantothenic acid), biotin and folic acid, which were the experimental variables. Basal diet 2 differed from basal diet 1 in that egg white replaced the casein and dextrin replaced sucrose. With each diet the 4 vitamins were omitted for some groups of animals, added singly for others, and given in combinations to the remaining groups. Those animals receiving basal diet 1 unsupplemented by the experimental variables were chiefly on a pantothenic acid deficient diet, while basal diet 2, unsupplemented, emphasized a lack of biotin. By the end of the 12th experimental week the rats either died or were sacrificed. Skin manifestations and weights were studied.

Unprotected groups subsisting on basal diet 1 showed ulcers of the tongue in various sizes characterized by a granular type of necrosis. Unprotected groups subsisting on basal diet 2 showed grossly clear and hemorrhagic vesicles on the tongue of subepithelial or subdermal origin.

The action of panthenol was in general similar to that of calcium pantothenate under all conditions. Biotin plus folic acid was not as effective as biotin alone when calcium pantothenate or panthenol was absent from the diet. Similarly, calcium pantothenate or panthenol plus folic acid was not as effective as calcium pantothenate or panthenol alone when biotin was absent from the diet.

Manuscript received 19 August 1948.