STUDIES ON NIACIN BIOSYNTHESIS FROM 3-HYDROXY-ANTHRANILIC ACID IN STREPTOZOTOCIN DIABETIC RATS IN VIVO AND IN VITRO

Abstract

Biosynthesis of niacin from 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-OHAA) in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats was studied in vivo and in vitro. Streptozotocin (SZ) diabetic rats were found to excrete lesser quantities of 3-OHAA, quinolinic acid, niacin and N¹-methyl nicotinamide (NMN) in their urines following 3-OHAA administration than corresponding normal rats. In vitro studies indicated that SZ diabetic livers form less quinolinic acid from 3-OHAA than normal livers. It appears that this may be due to elevated picolinic carboxylase activity in the livers of SZ diabetic rats.