The Effect of Feeding Succinylsulfathiazole to Rats Receiving Purified Diets High in Carbohydrate, Protein, Fat, or Protein and Fat: Two Figures

Abstract

A study has been made of the growth, the bacterial flora of the feces, and the fecal elimination and liver storage of “folic acid,” biotin and pantothenic acid in rats fed succinylsulfathiazole (SST) containing diets high in either carbohydrate, protein, fat, or both protein and fat. Weight gains continued for a longer period of time in rats fed SST in high protein diets than in animals receiving the drug in high carbohydrate or high fat diets. Some of the signs of nutritional deficiencies which early became apparent in the latter groups did not appear in animals fed the high protein diets. The bacterial flora of the feces was not demonstrably altered in number or kind of organisms by changes in the composition of the diet. The superior condition of the rats ingesting high protein diets showed only slight correlation with the fecal elimination of “folic acid,” biotin and pantothenic acid. The inclusion of SST in all the diets was accompanied by a marked reduction in the hepatic stores of “folic acid” and biotin. The stores of “folic acid” were, however, somewhat higher in the rats receiving the high protein diets. The hepatic stores of pantothenic acid remained high in the animals receiving the high protein diets until they eventually began to lose weight. Of the determinations made, the hepatic stores of pantothenic acid showed the best correlation with the condition of the animals.