Riboflavin and Liver Sulphydryl-Levels in Mice

Abstract

DURING the course of a series of investigations of the sulphydryl content of mouse liver under varying experimental conditions, it was found that during a period of nine months there was a steady increase in the level found in control animals. The liver —SH content rose from 31.4 ± 1.7 µgm. per 100 mgm. wet weight to 34.3 ± 5.9 µgm. per 100 mgm. wet weight. In all cases the groups of animals used comprised a minimum of 10 Strong A male mice. This steady increase in control-levels was succeeded by a sharp fall to 27.7 ± 2.6 µgm. per 100 mgm. wet weight in a group of similar animals. Consideration of factors which might have been involved in this variation led to suspicion of the diet, particularly since, during the period in question, growth-rates in these animals had shown deviations from the expected pattern. Further examination of the diet question focused suspicion on the vitamin content, and especially on the constancy of the riboflavin-level. We were thus led into an investigation of the influence of dietary riboflavin on liver —SH levels.