Myelin lipids in vitamin B 12 deficiency in chicks

Abstract

Lipid profile of the spinal cord myelin was studied in normal and vitamin B 12 deficient chicks. The significant findings were a reduction in the total galactolipids and an increase in the total phospholipids of myelin in vitamin B 12 deficiency. The altered molar ratios of these lipids suggest a relative immaturity of the myelin in this condition. These changes may initiate the degenerative changes in the central nervous system in vitamin B 12 deficiency. Vitamin B 12 is essential for normal functioning of both the hemopoietic and the nervous system. Sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord is seen both in association with pernicious anemia and in megaloblastic anemia of dietary origin (1,2). Though many biochemical postulates (3, 4) have been advanced to explain the neurological changes, the role of vitamin B 12 in maintaining the integrity of myelin is still obscure. So far only in two animal species the monkey (5) and the chick (6) has myelin degeneration been reported in vitamin B 12 deficiency. However, in neither of these reports, have changes in the composition of myelin been described. The results of a study in chicks wherein the effects of vitamin B 12 on the lipid profile of myelin were investigated are reported here.