[Fecal excretion of fats and nitrogen in rats with niacin deficiency].

The effect of dietary-induced niacin deficiency on intestinal absorption of fat and nitrogen was studied in 18 rats through the metabolic balance technique. When compared with de control group (n = 9) the niacin deficient rats (n = 9) showed higher fecal fat and nitrogen output. The former was diarrhea-dependent and the later diarrhea independent processes. It is suggested that niacin deficiency might induced an early impairment in the intestinal protein absorption followed by diarrhea which would account lately for the fat malabsorption.