Antirachitic Effect Research Articles

THE ANTIRACHITIC EFFECT OF SOME FOODS

Journal of Food ScienceVolume 3, Issue 4 p. 373-381 THE ANTIRACHITIC EFFECT OF SOME FOODS E. F. KOHMAN, E. F. KOHMAN Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, and Research Laboratories, National Canners Association, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this authorW. H. EDDY, W. H. EDDY Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, and Research Laboratories, National Canners Association, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this authorMARY E. WHITE, MARY E. WHITE Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, and Research Laboratories, National Canners Association, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this authorN. H. SANBORN, N. H. SANBORN Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, and Research Laboratories, National Canners Association, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this author E. F. KOHMAN, E. F. KOHMAN Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, and Research Laboratories, National Canners Association, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this authorW. H. EDDY, W. H. EDDY Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, and Research Laboratories, National Canners Association, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this authorMARY E. WHITE, MARY E. WHITE Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, and Research Laboratories, National Canners Association, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this authorN. H. SANBORN, N. H. SANBORN Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, and Research Laboratories, National Canners Association, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this author First published: July 1938 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1938.tb17070.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume3, Issue4July 1938Pages 373-381 RelatedInformation

EFFECT OF CITRATE AND TARTRATE ON EXPERIMENTAL RICKETS

Studies in the laboratory of the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Chicago have shown that citric and tartaric acids and the sodium salts of these acids have a marked tendency to prevent the development of rickets in rats on a rachitogenic diet and to cause healing when administered to rachitic animals. Incorporated in the rachitogenic diet in sufficient amounts, sodium citrate, sodium tartrate and sodium bitartrate furnished protection against the development of rickets. When equivalent quantities of the acids and salts were fed, it was found that the salts were slightly more effective than the corresponding acids. When animals were placed on a rachitogenic diet until severe rickets developed and the acids or the salts were then administered along with the diet for periods of five or ten days, marked healing was evident. METHOD The acids or salts which were to be tested for their antirachitic effect were

COMPARISON OF THE ANTIRACHITIC EFFECTS ON HUMAN BEINGS OF VITAMIN D FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES

Shortly after the discovery of the production of vitamin D by the irradiation of ergosterol, the observation was made that the antirachitic effect on chickens of the irradiated ergosterol differed markedly from that of cod liver oil, rat unit for rat unit of vitamin D.¹This raised the question of the relative efficacy in human beings of the various vitamin D-containing substances and the dosage of each necessary for the prevention and cure of infantile rickets. For some years it has been customary to administer daily for the prevention of rickets 3 teaspoonfuls of cod liver oil, which amount contains approximately 1,000 U. S. P. units of vitamin D, or 10 drops of standard viosterol (10,000 U. S. P. [international] units of vitamin D per gram), which dose contains approximately 2,000 units. In table 1 are given most of the commonly used vitamin D products, with the number of

Comparative antirachitic effectiveness of viosterol, cod liver oil, and percomorph liver oil

Summary In order to determine the relative effectiveness of cod liver oil, viosterol and percomorph liver oil, unit for unit, 365 infants were given 135, 435, or 870 U.S.P. xi units daily of one of these antirachitic agents throughout the winter months. At the end of the winter the incidence of rickets among these infants was determined by roentgenologic examination of the wrists. The results of the prophylactic study did not indicate any significant difference in the effectiveness of these agents at the levels of units employed in this investigation. The degree of protection afforded by these antirachitics was extremely high, and only three infants among 146 receiving the lower unitage, 135 units daily, developed roentgenologic evidences of rickets. A comparison of the curative response to cod liver oil, viosterol, percomorph liver oil and irradiated cholesterol was made on fourteen rachitic infants. These tests revealed that the daily administration of 435 units of cod liver oil, percomorph liver oil, and irradiated cholesterol brought about good healing in two, four, and three rachitic infants, respectively, whereas the same number of units of viosterol failed to bring about satisfactory healing in two rachitic infants. The results of the curative study, therefore, would seem to indicate that, rat unit for rat unit, vitamin D of animal source (cod liver oil, percomorph liver oil, and irradiated cholesterol) is more effective in the treatment of infantile rickets than is vitamin D of plant origin (viosterol).

A comparison of the antirachitic effect of irradiated cholesterol and cod liver oil

A comparison of the antirachitic effect of irradiated cholesterol and cod liver oil

THE ANTIRACHITIC EFFECTIVENESS OF VITAMIN D FROM VARIOUS SOURCES

The proper evaluation of antirachitic agents for human use as well as for animals of economic importance is a problem of immediate concern to all interested in rational therapeutics. Chemical assays are as yet out of the question and animal assays reveal a species variation in the degree of reaction to different forms of vitamin D which does not parallel that of the human. Unfortunately as only the vitamin D produced from ergosterol is known in pure form, the difficulties of proper evaluation of an antirachitic agent may be complicated by the presence of unknown forms of vitamin D, the presence of synergistic substances, or the presence of both. It is accordingly important to know how many forms of vitamin D must be recognized, to what extent each occurs in nature or is produced artificially by irradiation, what factors influence the activity of each, and how each may be evaluated properly by laboratory assays with animals. That irradiated ergosterol was not identical with the vitamin D of cod liver oil was indicated by the work of Massengale and Nussmeier (1) who found that on the same rat unit basis irradiated ergosterol had less antirachitic effect than cod liver oil when tested on chickens. Steenbock and coworkers (2), recognizing the possible synergistic action of other substances in cod liver oil, fed irradiated ergosterol with small amounts of cod liver oil and carotene and obtained no better results than with ergosterol alone. They concluded in consequence that the vitamin D produced by irradiating ergosterol is different from that found in cod liver oil.

FURTHER STUDIES OF VIOSTEROL IN THE PROPHYLAXIS OF RICKETS IN PREMATURE INFANTS

In a previous study1two of us found that a daily dose of 20 drops of a commercial preparation of viosterol 250 D (5,000 U.S.P. X units, revised 19342) was insufficient for the complete protection of premature infants from rickets. At the suggestion of Dr. Martha M. Eliot, of the Children's Bureau, Washington, D. C., we undertook the present study with another preparation of viosterol, the bio-assay of which had been made by the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture. The literature on the administration of viosterol to infants up to June 1933 was summarized in our earlier study,1with the exception of a paper by Barnes, Brady and James,3in which they compared the antirachitic effect of cod liver oil, viosterol and cod liver oil combined with viosterol. They also studied a control group of infants to whom no antirachitic therapy was given. Their

Irradiated evaporated milk in the prevention of rickets

Summary o 1. The antirachitic effect of irradiated evaporated milk was observed on 103 rapidly growing infants, aged one to six months at the initial examination. The infants, who were largely of British descent, were observed during the five winter months. The entire milk requirements of these infants were supplied by irradiated evaporated milk, and no other source of vitamin D was administered. “Moderate” or “marked rickets” as shown by the x-ray examination did not develop in a single infant. Seventeen per cent of the infants showed x-ray evidence of “mild rickets”, a degree of rickets that is not sufficient to cause any great concern from a clinical standpoint. 2. Fifty-two infants of similar ages whose entire milk requirements were covered by ordinary evaporated milk were observed over the same period. Of these, 10 per cent developed x-ray evidence of “moderate” or “marked rickets”, and 29 per cent developed x-ray evidence of “mild rickets”. 3. Fifty-two infants of similar ages whose entire milk requirements were furnished by ordinary pasteurized milk were also observed over the same period. Of these, 23 per cent developed x-ray evidence of “moderate” or “marked rickets”, and 25 per cent developed x-ray evidence of “mild rickets”. 4. In the infants receiving irradiated evaporated milk in whom x-ray evidence of “mild rickets” was found, there was always evidence of healing as shown by lime salt deposition. On the other hand, in the infants receiving ordinary evaporated milk and ordinary pasteurized milk, in many of the infants with mild rickets there was no evidence of healing.

Identity of Natural Vitamin D from Different Species of Animals

BILLS, Massengale and Imboden1 have found that one rat unit of blue-fin tunny liver oil in chicks has only 15 per cent of the antirachitic effect of one rat unit of cod liver oil, whence they conclude that the two forms of vitamin D are different. However, Dols2 demonstrated that the antirachitic effect of these two forms of vitamin D in chicks is the same, the necessary dose being about 80 international D units a day for each chicken. Before the results of Dols were known to us, we had running a great number of tests to investigate whether there is any difference between the vitamin D of different species of animals. (The fact that there is another form of natural vitamin D found in green plants and accompanying the free fatty acids3 is not discussed here.)

Non-identity of Vitamin D2 (Irradiated Ergosterol, Calciferol) and the Natural Vitamin D from Cod Liver Oil

As will be known from numerous papers, these two forms of vitamin D have different biological actions. In children and in chicks, one rat unit of the natural vitamin D of cod liver oil is about a hundred times as potent against rickets as one rat unit of irradiated ergosterol. Hence Steenboek1 has concluded that the two substances aro not identical. Chemical and physical proofs of the difference between the two substances have been advanced by Ender2, who showed that vitamin D2 differed from the natural vitamin D in its reaction with phthalic anhydride, its ultra-violet spectrum and its rotation of polarised light. As basic material, Ender used the liver fat of the tunny (Thunnus Thynnue) on the assumption that the vitamin D in various fishes is the same. However, Bills, Massongale and Imboden3 have found that one rat unit of Blue-fin tunny liver oil in chicks has only 15 per cent of the antirachitic effect of one rat unit of cod liver oil, whence they conclude that the two forms of vitamin D are different.

ANTIRACHITIC EFFECTS OF RADIATION FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES

This investigation was undertaken to determine the comparative biologic value of radiations from different kinds of lamps. Since the antirachitic effect of radiation has been more thoroughly studied and more accurately standardized, it was decided to use the rachitic rat as an indicator. Since the total reaction obtained varies somewhat with different rachitogenic diets, it seemed desirable to make simultaneous studies on groups of rats fed different diets. Accordingly, the Steenbock 2965 and the McCollum 3143 rachitogenic diets were selected as the ones probably most widely used. Six series of experiments are reported. In series 1 only the Steenbock diet was used; in series 2 only the McCollum diet. In all other series duplicate tests were made with each diet. In some of the experiments the line test was employed as a check on the roentgenographic readings, but it was found that there was generally such close agreement that the

The Seasonal Variation in the Antirachitic Effectiveness of Sunshine

The Seasonal Variation in the Antirachitic Effectiveness of Sunshine

EFFICIENCY OF NEW ORLEANS SUNSHINE IN PREVENTING RICKETS IN RATS

That seasonal variation in the incidence of rickets is due to the changing amount of solar ultraviolet radiation shorter that 313 millimicrons is now universally accepted. Despite the decrease in the antirachitic solar radiation during the winter months, it has been shown that sunshine possesses a definite antirachitic effect throughout the year. Tisdall and Brown¹in Toronto, Fleming²in Washington, D. C., and Wilder and Vack³in Boston found winter sunshine to be definitely antirachitic for rats even when passed through several of the substitutes for ordinary window glass. Caldwell and Dennett⁴in New York and Wyman and his collaborators⁵in Boston obtained similar results with infants. Similar studies have also demonstrated the seasonal variation in the ability of sunshine to prevent weakness of the legs in chickens. The quality and intensity of the short ultraviolet radiations in sunlight are the determining factors in the

The Efficiency of New Orleans Sunshine in Preventing Leg Weakness and Promoting Growth in Chicks

THAT radiation, solar or artificial, will protect chicks against leg weakness is now common knowledge among physiologists and poultrymen. Many papers have appeared within the last nine years from various parts of the country indicating the length of exposure to sunshine, or to sunshine through various screens, which will prevent or cure leg weakness and promote adequate growth at different seasons of the year.Seasonal variation in the antirachitic effectiveness of sunshine depends primarily on latitude and on the altitude of the sun. Other factors, such as humidity, cloudiness, smoke and dust reduce the intensity and extent of the wave lengths below 313 mμ. The quality and intensity of the short ultra violet radiation in sunlight are the determining factors in the prevention of rickets, rather than the actual number of sunshine hours. A correlation of total number of sunshine hours with the incidence of rickets in a particular locality .

SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE ANTIRACHITIC EFFECT OF SUNSHINE

During the past four years a study has been made by us of the seasonal variation in the antirachitic effect of sunshine. From the results reported¹it was concluded that the sun's rays during the latter part of October, all of November, December and January and the first part of February in the latitude of Toronto produced a slight but definite antirachitic effect, which sharply increased about February 15 and continued throughout the summer at approximately eight times the winter level. A marked decrease in the antirachitic effect occurred about October 15. It was further found²that this change in antirachitic effect is apparently largely dependent on the altitude of the sun above the horizon. When the sun is low in the sky the rays necessarily pass through a greater amount of the earth's atmosphere, and the short, biologically active ultraviolet rays are markedly diminished. A critical altitude

COLORADO SUNSHINE

So much is said nowadays about the dearth of sunshine and its consequent detriment to human well being that it is interesting to discover some of the regions where nature's beneficent sun rays are always available in abundance. The existence of seasonal variations and their effects on the incidence of infantile rickets have been repeatedly stressed in recent years. For example, Tisdall and Brown¹found the antirachitic effect of sunshine at Toronto in April and May to be approximately eight times as great as in December, January and February. Day²recently reported a seasonal variation in the antirachitic potency of Arkansas sunshine. He found that whereas an average daily exposure to sunshine of ten minutes over a period of forty days during June and July was sufficient to induce calcification in rats fed a rachitogenic diet, incomplete protection against rickets resulted from two and one-half hours' daily exposure

A COMPARISON OF THE ANTIRACHITIC EFFECTS OF WINTER AND SUMMER SUNSHINE IN COLORADO

The observation of Tisdall and Brown 1 that in Toronto a sharp increase occurs in the antirachitic effect of sunshine about the first of March aroused our interest in the question as to whether or not a similar condition exists in Colorado. The general impression which one may draw from the relatively large percentage of sunshine throughout the year, as well as from the low incidence of rickets in Colorado, suggests that there is no such marked difference in the antirachitic effect of winter and summer sunshine in Colorado as occurs in Toronto. Forbes and Green 2 reported that from the point of view of clinical data there is a relatively low incidence of rickets in Colorado. In a continuation of this work, Forbes, Green and Stephenson, 3 by use of the x-ray method of diagnosis, confirmed this conclusion. In their reports, they gave consideration to climatologic conditions in Colorado

THE ANTIRACHITIC VALUE OF IRRADIATED WHEAT

It is more than five years since Steenbock,¹closely followed by Hess,²reported the epoch-making discovery of the antirachitic activation of food substances by their exposure to rays from the mercury quartz lamp. No extensive reports of the clinical effects of foods so treated have yet been recorded, as commercially irradiated foods have become available only during the past year. In addition, on account of the almost universal exposure to sunshine and skyshine during the summer months, it is possible from the practical standpoint to test the clinical value of irradiated foods only during the winter season. Such tests are now under way in this clinic but on account of the paucity of suitable material it will be some months before an adequate report can be made. However, during the past year in our laboratories about 1,500 rats have been utilized in a study of the antirachitic effect

Ultraviolet Transparency of the Various Layers of Human Skin.

Frozen skin sections obtained from the sole of the foot of fresh bodies were placed over the slit of a quartz spectrograph; the surface of the skin was at right angles to the length of the slit. The spectrum of the Kromayer lamp through the visible and the whole ultraviolet was obtained on a photographic plate with the widest variation of exposure, with and without the skin sections interposed. Every spectral line showed the transmission of the various skin layers from the stratum corneum to the corium, in closest comparison for the same thickness of every layer, from 10 to 70 μ, with various sections on different plates. The absorption coefficients were calculated from these observations for every layer. These were found to vary slightly with the thickness of the section, for which observation an explanation can be found by reflection and scattering. The absorption curves-showed marked differences for the various layers. The corneum and the granulosum exhibited a maximum of absorption at 280 μμ, coinciding with the maximum of the antirachitic effect as observed by Sonne. This suggests that the antirachitic effect takes place in one or both of these layers. The corium and stratum germinativum do not show an increased absorption at this wave length, but exhibits a gradual increase of absorption. The production of an erythema occurs in these layers in the shadow of the upper layers. This explains the decrease in sensitivity as was observed by Hausser and Vahle at 280 μμ.

Influence of Superheating on Antirachitic Properties of Irradiated Foods.

There is some evidence that superheating destroys the antirachitic effect of irradiation.1 In order to test this point further we have compared over a period of 10 weeks the growth performance of rats which were receiving a rachitic ration2 with that of animals receiving (1) similar rations which had been irradiated; and (2) the irradiated ration which had been subsequently superheated. This rachitic ration which consisted of a mixture of grains was finely ground, mixed with distilled water and heated until it was of a thick gelatinous consistency. Since even at 15 pounds pressure mixtures of this consistency seldom reach throughout temperatures above 97° C., it was thought that results with these rachitic rations might not be valid. Therefore, we have tested the effects of the addition to the ration of (1) boiled milk; (2) irradiated boiled milk; and (3) irradiated milk which was subsequently autoclaved.In order to test further the effect of superheating on the antirachitic properties of milk, we have us...