Effects of Dietary Niacin Concentration and Protein Content on Gastric Acidity and Vitamin B12 Binding Capacity of Gastric Mucosa in Rats

Abstract

The effects of supplementary feeding with niacin were investigated upon gastric acidity and vitamin B12 binding capacity of the gastric mucosa in rats which had been placed on two kinds of basal diets: low-protein diet composed of polished rice, fermented soy bean paste and cabbage, and a normal-protein diet supplemented with casein, gelatin and several amino acids. Five and half months after the feeding, hyperfunction of acid secreting cells associated with increased gastric acidity was observed in rats fed on the low-protein-niacin-deficient diet rather than in rats on the normal niacin-protein diet. Vitamin B12 binding capacity of the gastric mucosa of rats which has been said to be in parallel with the secretion of intrinsic factor was found to be higher in the low-protein-niacin-deficient group than in the normal-niacin-protein group. © 1968, Tohoku University Medical Press. All rights reserved.