THE PROBABLE HAZARDS OF SUCROSE IN MAN

Abstract

The effect of dietary sucrose on DNA formation in rat liver and kidney compared with that of starch was studied. Male, weanling rats were fed for 6 and 14 days on diets containing 68% 'sucrose or 68% starch, and liver and kidneys were examined for 1ilie amount and rate of formation of DNA; and also for content of fat, protein, and moisture. Food intake and weight gain were estimated. Sucrose fed animals had heavier liver and kidneys than starch fed animals. Food intake and weight gain were similar on both diets. The enlargement of the liver after six days was mainly due to increase in1cell number calculated from DNA content. Whereas, after 14 days, the enlargement was mostly due to incensement of cell size. The proportion of protein and moisture in the liver of sucrose fed animals was less than in the starch fed ones, whereas fat content was 25'% higher. Sucrose feeding had no effect in six days on weight of kidneys, but after 14 days heavier kidneys were produced. Exemption of cortex showed no difference in cell number or cell size. Twenty-four hours before killing the animals were injected intraperitoneally with H3 thymidine. Radioactive count was too low, the results too variable for any conclusions to be drawn.