Document vyVj1eK8M2LJNVJO5mBYy4QR9

J. 8 . H A F F N ER, PRESIDENT J. M. BOWLBY, VICE PRESIDENT K . C . BROWNE LL, VICE PRESIDENT J . A. MARTI NO, VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT LINDLEV ZIEGFELD, SECRETARY-TREASURER 4-20 LEXINGTON AVENUE NEWYORK17,K.Y. MANF RED BOWDI TCH DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND SAFETY May 2U, 1955 Robert A. Kehoe, M. D., Director Kettering Laboratory of Applied Physiology University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Eden Avenue Cincinnati 19, Ohio - Dear Bob: From a man who is personally unknown to me, but who is apparently well thought of and is assistant professor of pediatrics at a leading medi cal school in another state, we have received an inquiry the body of which is copied herewith. Depending on its probable usefulness and cost, this might or might not be a study to wnich we would feel justified in lending support at a future time. As I amobviously unable to evaluate the former fac tor, I have discussed it with Dr. George Ulheatley and amnow, at his suggestion, referring it to you, Dr. Norton Nelson and Dr. J. J. Chisolm, Jr., with the request that you give me any comments you may have on it. The anonymity is simply because, at this point, it seems perhaps fairer to handle it in this way. MB:MM KF t j. May 23, 1955 !,I amwriting to you to ascertain whether your organization might be interested in the support of a research project designed to evaluate the possible relationship of the symptomatology of lead poisoning to inactivation of Coenzyme A. "This enzyme is a sulfhydryl containing enzyme which includes the vitamin pantothenic acid in its structure. The enzyme func tions at a very key level in the intermediary metabolism of fat, carbohydrate and amino acids and its integrity is necessary for the proper functioning of all tissues. As lead combines with sulfhydryl groups it is possible that the presence of undue con centrtiors of lead in the tissues might result .in at least a partial inactivation of this enzyme. This suggests that panto thenic acid administration might have prophylactic or thera peutic uses in preventing the biochemical injury involved in lead poisoning, HWe propose to test lead poisoned rats for evidence of pantothenic acid deficiency and to determine whether this postu lated biochemical lesion can be reversed with pantothenic acid. We also plan to carry out studies in children along, the same lines and also including the treatment of lead encephalopathy with pan tothenic- acid* Ife plarto use as index of possible affect of pantothenic acid the electroencephalogram as well as altera tions in clinical condition and in the urinary excretion of amino acids. ,f Ki? oo ,898