Circulating Antibodies in Vitamin Deficiency States. Pantothenic Acid-sparing Action of DL-Methionine

Thymic Weight in Pantothenic Acid Deficiency

“…Undeveloped or underdeveloped thymus in humans results in defective immune mechanism which can be corrected by thymic implant or by treatment with thymosin (33). Axelrod and Hopper (4), Ludovici et al (22,23,25), and Ludovici and Axelrod (24) demonstrated clearly in 1949, 1951 and 1960 that PA deficiency in rats results in impaired antibody response to a variety of antigens. Ludovici and Axelrod (24) were able to demonstrate that when PA-deficient rats (with impaired ability to synthesize antibodies) were given PA acid or panthenal, their serum antibody titer improved.…”

“…We know the antibody titer is low in pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and pteroylglutamic acid deficiencies. It is also known that thiamine deficiency has no effect on antibody titer (4) and the low antibody titer in PA deficiency can be corrected by methionine (23).…”

“…Axelrod and Hopper (4), Ludovici et al (23), and Ludovici and Axelrod (24) have shown a severe impairment of antibody response against a variety of antigens in pantothenic-acid (PA)-deficient rats. Ludovici and Axelrod (24) were able to promote antibody synthesis in PA-deficient rats by giving them PA and panthenol.…”

Formation of immunoproteins during protein repletion

“…Ludovici et al (44) investigated the possibility that methionine could spare pantothenic acid for its role in synthesis of anti body, as well as for other metabolic functions of the vitamin. Addition of 1.4 to 2.7$ methionine to a 25$ casein diet failed to influence growth or deficiency symptoms of pantothenic acid-deficient rats, but counteracted inhibition of antibody formation noted in pantothenic acid-deficient con trols which did not receive supplementary methionine.…”

Formation of immunoproteins during protein repletion

“…The first figure is for lot J2M9C (11.0$ K); the second is for lot 3008D (10.8$ N). Diets were calculated to give 1 44. or 2.88$ N from egg.…”