Growth inhibitory action of saccharin and cyclamate on rats receiving a poor rice diet

Abstract

1. The effect of saccharin and cyclamate on growth of young rats fed on a poor rice diet or a balanced diet was investigated. 2. Saccharin and cyclamate retarded the growth of rats on the multi-deficient diet but not of those on the well-balanced diet during an 8-week feeding period. 3. The sweeteners did not produce any macroscopic or microscopic changes in the liver, kidneys, intestines, spleen or lungs of the animals receiving the poor rice diet other than the changes resulting from the nutritional deficiency of the diet. 4. The sweeteners did not inhibit the liver xanthine oxidase activity of rats receiving the poor rice diet to an extent greater than the inhibition brought about by the deficiency of protein in the diet. 5. When given by intubation to healthy rats, the sweeteners inhibited the induction of liver tryptophan oxygenase; given in vitro, they inhibited the succinate dehydrogenase activity of rat liver mitochondria.