Abstract
The effects of the deficiency of niacin were investigated on the gastric secretion in rats fed two types of basal diets, i.e. one, low protein diet composed of polished rice, bean paste, cabbage and vitamins excluding niacin, and another, protein enhanced diet by adding casein, gelatine and a mixture of several amino acids. After 5 and half months of feeding, a higher gastric acidity and a stronger hyperfunction of acid secreting cells were observed in the low protein・niacin-deficient group than in the normal protein・niacin group. Vitamin B_<12> binding capacity, which reflects the intrinsic factor secretion necessary for the absorption of this vitamin, was also higher in the low protein・niacin-deficient group rather than the normal protein・niacin control. It seems that these findings indicate an increase of gastric mucosa formation and occurrence of gastric adenohypersthesia in the rats fed a low protein・niacin-deficient diet.
