Histologic changes in livers of pyridoxine-deprived baboons--relation to alpha1 fetoprotein and liver cancer in Africa
Foy, H.; Kondi, A.; Davies, J.N.; Anderson, B.; Parker, A.; Preston, J.; Peers, F.G.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 53(5): 1295-1311
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 4139278 Document Number: 81105
Ten baboons were given a balanced diet in which 15 to 20% of energy was derived from vitamin-free casein, 70 to 75% from purified sucrose and 10% from maize oil. The diet lacked vitamin B-6, but occasionally during 2 to 6 years the animals were given pyridoxine to alleviate deficiency. Half the animals developed increased amounts of alpha1-foetoprotein (AFP) in serum; histology of liver and signs of deficiency indicated neoplasia, although none of the animals had received any carcinogenic substance. Five other baboons totally deprived of pyridoxine died within 6 to 8 months with rapidly developing hepatocellular injury; none had AFP in serum or signs of tumours. In 15 baboons given single or multiple doses of aflatoxin B1, 3 to 28 mg, the liver changes were not as severe as those seen in baboons given the pyridoxine-deficient diet alone and there was no AFP in serum. In all animals deprived of pyridoxine, serum vitamin B-6 values fell from a normal range of 200-350 to 5-15 ng/ml; tryptophan metabolites increased in the urine. It is suggested that pyridoxine deficiency or its antagonists may upset immunological competence.