Effect of 3-acetylpyridine on the content of myelin in the rat brain

Ten-week old rats were fed an AIN-76 purified diet ad libitum and were given 3-acetylpyridine which is an antagonistic agent of nicotinic acid. The quantity and composition of myelin in the brain were analyzed after administration of 3-acetylpyridine for 40 days. Body weight, myelin yield, cerebroside level and specific activity of 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide-3'-phosphohydrolase in the brain decreased by administration of 3-acetylpyridine. Despite the decreased myelin yield, the proportion of protein and total lipid and the percentage composition of lipid in myelin did not change by administration of 3-acetylpyridine. Therefore, we have concluded that 3-acetylpyridine plays a significant role in the loss of myelin.