EFFECT OF SERUM CALCIUM ON VB₁ IN LIVING BODY

Abstract

For the purpose of elucidating the relation between serum Ca and vitamin B₁ in the body, the Ca content in serum of rabbits was reduced by inducing persistent hyper-or hypoglycemia or administering oxalic acid or acetic acid. Their subsequent total serum Ca, serum dialytic Ca, the drop number, the blood VB₁ content and the excretion of VB₁ in urine were measured. The serum Ca content and the VB₁ content in the body in some diseases and pregnancy were also determined. Furthermore Ca was administered to subjects suffering from Ca deficiency in serum or VB₁ deficiency and the subsequent VB₁ metabo lism was followed up. The results obtained were as follows:
1) Adiminution of serum Ca disturbs the metabolism of VB₁ in the body. Such a reduction of serum Ca content heightens the consumption of bodily VB₁ on the one hand, and on the other lowers the utilization of the vitamin in the body.
2) This disturbance of VB₁ metabolism caused by a diminition of serum Ca may be prevented or cured by administration of Ca An oral administration is more effective than otherwise.
3) Administration of VB₁ is effective in preventing the reduction of serum Ca content and causes its slight rise. Therefore, it may be concluded that the Ca content in serum and the VB₁ content in the body stand in mutual correlation.