QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Constant, M. A. Articles by Phillips, P. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Constant, M. A. Articles by Phillips, P. H.

The Occurrence of a Calcinosis Syndrome in the Cotton Rat¹

I. The Effect of Diet on the Ash Content of the Heart

One Figure

Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Survey data have been presented on the effect of diet on the development of a calcinosis syndrome which produced a markedly increased ash content of the hearts of cotton rats. The alleviating effect of oatmeal, the detrimental influence of high phosphorus, and the failure of vitamin E to cure the syndrome in guinea pigs apparently apply also to cotton rats. The syndrome in cotton rats was primarily associated with the feeding of partially purified diets. Preliminary studies have failed to establish an infective agent as the cause of this syndrome.

Dietary conditions which increased the severity of the syndrome were (a) increased calcium and phosphorus; or (b) decreased magnesium levels; or (c) basic mineral mixture; or (d) increased metabolic demands imposed by manganese deficiency or the feeding of sodium acetate. Dietary modifications found to alleviate the syndrome were dextrin or additional protein. Supplementation of partially purified diets with B vitamins, cystine, B₁₂ or 1:20 liver extract had little effect on the syndrome. A high level of magnesium did not prevent it.

We are indebted to Merck and Co., Rahway, N. J., for the crystalline vitamins; to Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill., for the halibut liver oil; and to the Wilson Laboratories, Chicago, Ill., for the 1:20 liver extract used in these experiments.

Manuscript received 24 January 1952.