Riboflavin Sparing Action by D-Sorbitol in Rat

Abstract

Morgan et al has recentry reported that sorbitol has the thiamine sparing action in rat.
Then, it is very interesting to research whether sorbitol has a same action on riboflavin in rat.
The diet composition is shown in Table 1.
Growing rats of approximately 60-80 gram body weight were divided into two groups. One was riboflavin supplemented group, the other was riboflavin unsupplemented group.
The former was supplied 5γ of riboflavin per animal per day orally in addition to riboflavin contained in the diet.
The latter was only supplied approximately 0.7γ of riboflavin per animal per day from the diet. Each group was divided into three diet groups.
As shown in Fig. 1, 2, a remarked increase of body weight was obtained in sucrose plus sorbitol diet group than in sucrose diet group, in both riboflavin supplemented and riboflavin unsupplemented group. The amounts of fecal riboflavin for three days were the largest in D-sorbitol added group in both riboflavin supplemental and suboptimal.
It suggests that the riboflavin synthesis by intestinal bacteria was increased by addition of D-sorbitol.
From the results of these experiments, it has been presumed that D-sorbitol may have the riboflavin sparing action in rats.