Humio Kuzuya

Arteriosclerosis in pyridoxine-deficient monkeys

During the last few years several of our experiments have shown that vitamin B~ may be playing an important role in the occurrence of arteriosclerosis. This report concerns arteriosclerotic lesions found in Macaca fuscata ycdeui subjected to pyridoxine deficiency. Pyridoxine deficiency was confirmed by measurements of the pyridoxine content of the blood and excretion of xanthurenic acid in the urine. In the deficient monkeys there was a gradual continued loss of weight when the depletion was continued for a period of 4 to 5 months, but no loss of weight in the control animals. The E. C. G. of the animals were recorded periodically. Abnormal ST or T in the E. C. G. were found in deficient animals. Histopathological examinations of the vessels of deficient monkeys were made. Arteriosclerotic lesions were found in the coronal arteries, as well as in the arteries of the kidney, pancreas, testicle, mesenterium, iliac, etc. In the aorta we also observed arteriosclerotic changes. The glucose-tolerance of deficient animals was normal, and we could find no diabetic signs. This observation suggested that these arteriosclerotic changes associated with pyridoxine deficiency were not diabetic vascular lesions. The lipid-level in the serum did not differ between deficient and control animals. The electrophoretic protein patterns of the serum manifested no significant change in pyridoxine deficient animals. These results, i .e. , that arterisoclerotic lesions which closely resemble human arteriosclerosis have been produced in immature primates without feeding of excess fat, suggest that pyridoxine (vitamin B;) has a major influence in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis in man.

Studies on Some Actions of Sulphated Polysaccharides on Arteriosclerosis (III) : CLINICAL USE OF DEXTRAN SULPHATE

The repeated intravenous administration of dextran sulphate which we synthesized decreased serum total cholesterol, especially free cholesterol in several patients, without the prolongation of clotting time of blood.

Studies on some actions of sulphated polysaccharides on arteriosclerosis. IV. Oral administration of dextran sulphate.

As the dextran sulphate which we synthesized has a low molecular weight, the intestinal absorption of this dextran sulphate was considered. The clearing activity and clotting time were measured after oral administration of this preactivity and clotting time were measured after oral administration of this preparation. And it was confirmed that this preparation is absorbed from the intestine in both man and dog. The improvement of lipid metabolism in aged human subjects was observed by the oral administration of this preparation.