The effects of life-long subsistence on diets providing suboptimal amounts of the “Vitamin B complex”

Abstract

1. A comparative study has been made of the life history of two groups of rats, one of which (483 animals) was maintained on an adequate diet whilst the other (556 animals) was given a ration providing a suboptimal intake of “vitamin B”. The chief defect of the second diet was probably in respect to vitamin B1.2. The duration of life was shortened and reproduction was adversely affected by the deficiency.3. The examination of the post-mortem records provides clear proof of a significantly greater incidence of gastro-intestinal lesions, particularly ulcerations, in the animals on the deficient diet than in the control group.4. The deficiency of B1 did not influence the incidence or the severity of the chronic lung infection (bronchiectasis) common in laboratory rats.5. The incidence of all other disorders was about the same in the two groups.6. No evidence of increased susceptibility to tumours, malignant or innocent, was shown by the animals on the deficient diet. Cancerous developments arising at the site of chronic inflammatory processes (e.g. worm cysts in the liver, caecal ulcers of long standing, etc.) were not appreciably more numerous in one group than in the other.

Elixir of immortality? Wine, resveratrol and sirtuins: an overview

“…In one such experimental protocol (McCay et al, 1939), albino rats were fed a diet rich in 'proteins, minerals and vitamins' so that malnutrition was avoided, but in such a way that calories were restricted. It could be argued that the constituents of the richer diets fed to the control mice in these experiments may have reduced lifespan; however, McCay et al controlled this by using concentrations shown to have no effect in studies conducted previously (Drummond, Baker, Wright, Marriamande, & Singer, 1938;Sherman & Campbell, 1937;Slonaker, 1935). A restricted diet was created, consisting of cooked starch (22%), cellulose (2%), lard (10%), sucrose (10%), salt mixture (6%).…”

Honoring Clive McCay and 75 Years of Calorie Restriction Research ,

“…Although no direct comparisons of lifespan of rodents restricted in energy or nutrients were made during this time, retarded growth by feeding rats diets inadequate in B vitamins, calcium, and/or protein decreased lifespan or caused significant mortality during development (18)(19)(20).…”