Effect of certain vitamins on the formation of cross-links in the collagen of lathyritic rats.

With a view to study the formation of cross-links in BAPN treated rats by the simultaneous administration of certain vitamins, seven groups of weauling albino rats were raised for three weeks on basal dietalone or vitamin deficient basal diets with BAPN. One of the vitamins namely calcium pantothenate, vitamin E and vitamin B12 was supplemented along with BAPN. The analysis of skins showed that ƒ¿1-and ƒ¿2-chains of neutral salt-soluble collagen appreciably increased, ƒÀ11-and ƒÀ12-chains and aldehyde content of the neutral salt-soluble collagen significantly decreased, whereas the solubility of insoluble collagen in 2 M/KCNS greatly increased under the influence of BAPN in the vitamin de ficient groups. Among the vitamins tested, calcium pantothenate gave the maximum beneficial effect against these (athyragenic changes and vitamin E was the next best.