ascorbic-acid and Vitamin-B-12-Deficiency

The water-soluble vitamins B6, B12 and C play important roles in maternal health as well as fetal development and physiology during gestation. This systematic review evaluates the risks and benefits of interventions with vitamins B6, B12 and C during pregnancy on maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition outcomes. Relevant publications were identified by searching PubMed, Popline and Web of Science databases. Meta-analyses were conducted for outcomes where results from at least three controlled trials were available. Potential benefits of vitamin B6 supplementation were reduction in nausea and vomiting, improvement in dental health, and treatment of some cases of anaemia. In meta-analysis based on three small studies, vitamin B6 supplementation had a significant positive effect on birthweight (d = 217 g [95% confidence interval (CI) 130, 304]). Interventions with vitamin C alone or combined with vitamin E did not systematically reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, or other adverse pregnancy outcomes. In meta-analyses, vitamins C and E increased the risk of pregnancy-related hypertension (relative risk 1.10 [95% CI 1.02, 1.19]). Effects of vitamin B6 or C intervention on other neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birthweight, and perinatal morbidity and mortality, were not significant. Data on child health outcomes were lacking. Despite the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency amongst populations with limited intake of animal source foods, no intervention trials have evaluated vitamin B12 supplementation before or during pregnancy. In conclusion, existing evidence does not justify vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy. Additional studies are needed to confirm positive effects of vitamin B6 supplementation on infant birthweight and other outcomes. While vitamin B12 supplementation may reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in the offspring based on theoretical considerations, research is needed to support this hypothesis.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Birth Weight; Child Welfare; Child, Preschool; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Maternal Welfare; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency

To be efficacious, dietary supplements must either provide a nutrient that is normally undersupplied to cells or exert a pharmacologic effect on cellular processes. In the first case, optimal function is achieved when a nutrient required by the organism reaches a specific concentration within the cell. A supplement has benefit only when the normal intake of a bioavailable form of a nutrient is lower than the amount that would provide maximum benefit as judged from all biological perspectives. Metabolic, environmental, and genetic factors can make individual nutrient requirements differ from the estimated needs calculated from population-based data. For example, under certain circumstances intracellular antioxidants may be depleted and a dietary supplement might restore optimal antioxidant protection. In the second case, the dietary supplement contains a constituent that is normally not required by the cell, but this substance is capable of altering normal cell function. For example, herbal preparations may contain ephedrine (a drug), which might alter heart rate so that the amount of blood pumped by the heart is enhanced. An understanding of how the variation in nutrient requirements comes about and of the pharmacologic actions of nutrient supplements can help to identify which individuals are most likely to benefit from dietary supplements.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Carotenoids; Dietary Fats; Dietary Supplements; Female; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Metabolism; Nutritional Requirements; Phytotherapy; Pregnancy; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin E

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; DNA; DNA Damage; DNA Repair; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Neoplasms; Niacin; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamins

Recent studies have resolved the debate over the role of vitamins in preventing neural tube defects. The British Medical Research Council trial demonstrated that 4 mg of folate daily, but not other vitamins, prevented 72% of recurrences. The Hungarian trial prevented neural tube defects in women who had not previously had affected children by giving multivitamins containing 0.8 mg of folate. The US Public Health Service currently recommends that women at risk for becoming pregnant take 0.4 mg of folate daily. Unfortunately, most pregnancies are unplanned, and women not planning to become pregnant may not follow this recommendation. Therefore, the US Food and Drug Administration is exploring methods of food fortification. Because large doses of folate have been reported to ameliorate B12 deficiency anemia while allowing neurologic damage to progress, and to cause electroencephalogram abnormalities in epileptics, it is important to plan fortification carefully and to monitor both toxicity and benefits.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Folic Acid; Food, Fortified; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Neural Tube Defects; Pregnancy; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamins

The various roles of the water-soluble vitamins (including choline and vitamin C) in diseases of swine are outlined. The most important role is in the prevention of deficiency disease; another important role is in relation to the immune response. Deficiency signs relating to each vitamin are described and the metabolism of each vitamin is outlined. Recent estimates of requirements are set out, together with suggestions on supplementation of practical diets for swine.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Biotin; Choline; Choline Deficiency; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Niacin; Nutritional Requirements; Pantothenic Acid; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Riboflavin Deficiency; Solubility; Swine; Swine Diseases; Thiamine; Thiamine Deficiency; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Vitamins; Water

This monograph on the clinical chemistry of vitamin B12 reviews the literature on daily requirements, methods for measurement, the effects of drugs on vitamin B12 metabolism absorption, pregnancy, clinical conditions associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, errors of metabolism, and reactions to vitamin therapy. Although only very small quantities of vitamin B12 are required to satisfy the daily requirement, a sufficient supply is stored in the liver to meet normal requirements for at least a 3-year period. A number of drugs are known to affect the absorption of vitamin B12, including neomycin, potassium chloride, p-aminosalicylic acid, and colchicine. Significantly reduced serum concentrations of vitamin B12 have been noted in users of oral contraceptives (OCs), although concentrations still remain within the limits of normal. It appears that the vitamin B12 level in OC users reestablishes itself at a different and somewhat lower level. Vitamin B12 binding protein appears to remain unchanged. A vitamin B12 deficiency is unusual in pregnant women who consume a normal, varied diet. On the other hand, lactating women whose diets are low in animal protein and dairy products may have problems providing enough vitamin B12 to meet their own and their infant's needs; supplementary oral vitamins should be considered.

Topics: Absorption; Adult; Alcoholism; Anemia, Pernicious; Ascorbic Acid; Autoantibodies; Biguanides; Biological Transport; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Chlorpromazine; Contraceptives, Oral; Diet; Female; Gastrectomy; Gastritis; Humans; Intrinsic Factor; Malabsorption Syndromes; Male; Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Nervous System Diseases; Nitrous Oxide; Nutritional Requirements; Pancreatic Diseases; Parasitic Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Transcobalamins; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

1. Low serum B12 levels can be measured with considerable precision by microbiological assay with the Euglena gracilis assay and B12 deficiency can be recognised with a high level of consistency by either the Euglena or L. leichmannii assays. Either method is ideally suited for the assay of large numbers of specimens. The Lactobacillus leichmanii technique requires preliminary extraction of protein and it has been suggested that this may be a source of inaccuracy. 2. The radioisotope dilution assay should be the ideal method of measuring B12 levels in small or moderate numbers of specimens for it is a simple method that can be carried out in any laboratory with suitable counting equipment. After many false starts the conditions required for accurate assay are now understood. Each of 40 to 50 radioisotopic dilution techniques that have been introduced claims to be capable of differentiating B12 deficiency from control subjects but the reported correlations between the actual levels found in the two different assays are variable and the levels may be much higher with some radioisotopic methods. 3. The subnormal serum levels which are found in pernicious anaemia with all these techniques indicate severe reduction of the liver B12 level. A low serum B12 level in other conditions has, in the absence of associated folate or iron deficiency, the same significance. If the fall in the serum B12 level is associated with folate or iron deficiency, the tissue B12 levels are usually reduced but not to the low levels found in B12 deficiency states. 4. In practice, a subnormal B12 level is a valuable pointer not only to unsuspected pernicious anaemia but also to other gastrointestinal or nutritional disorders. The significance of a fall in the B12 level can only be understood if its cause is defined by a full clinical and gastroenterological investigation. 5. Falsely low serum B12 levels are found under certain iatrogenic conditions and B12 levels may be normal in spite of cellular deficiency of B12 under the rare circumstances of pernicious anaemia being associated with chronic myeloid leukaemia or when there is deficiency of TC 2.

Topics: Anemia, Megaloblastic; Anemia, Pernicious; Ascorbic Acid; Biological Assay; Bone Marrow; Bone Marrow Cells; Carrier Proteins; Deoxyuridine; Euglena gracilis; Female; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Intrinsic Factor; Lactobacillus; Leukemia, Myeloid; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Radioisotope Dilution Technique; Transcobalamins; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

The literature concerning the influence of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives on vitamins is reviewed. The appearance of an elevated plasma concentration of vitamin A is probably without clinical importance, while there seems to be a clear connection between disturbances of vitamin B6 metabolism and mental symptoms. Low levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 have also been noted. Despite this, it is very rare that hematologic abnormalities develop during hormonal contraception. A reduced concentration of vitamin C in plasma and blood corpuscles has been reported. The clinical significance of these alterations is unknown.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Contraceptives, Oral; Depression; Estradiol Congeners; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Lipids; Menstruation; Nicotinic Acids; Pyridoxine; Tryptophan; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Drug Synergism; Eye Diseases; Fatty Acids, Essential; Flavonoids; Humans; Niacinamide; Pantothenic Acid; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Thiamine Pyrophosphate; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Vitamins

Topics: Adult; Anemia, Hemolytic; Anemia, Macrocytic; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Blood Cell Count; Bone Marrow Cells; Erythrocytes; Erythropoiesis; FIGLU Test; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Hemolysis; Hemorrhagic Disorders; Humans; Iron; Leukocytes; Liver; Reticulocytes; Scurvy; Tissue Extracts; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Anemia, Pernicious; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Biological Transport; Cats; Dogs; Folic Acid; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Intrinsic Factor; Rats; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamins

To investigate the efficacy of Viusid, a nutritional supplement, as an antioxidant and an immunomodulator in patients with chronic hepatitis C.. Sixty patients with chronic hepatitis C who were non-responders to standard antiviral treatment were randomly assigned to receive Viusid (3 sachets daily, n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 24 wk. The primary outcome was the change in serum malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals (lipid peroxidation products). Secondary outcomes were changes in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10).. Statistically significant reductions in serum 4-hydroxyalkenals and malondialdehyde levels were observed in both groups in comparison with pretreatment values, but the patients who received Viusid showed a more marked reduction as compared with the control group (P = 0.001). TNF-alpha levels significantly increased from 6.9 to 16.2 pg/mL (P < 0.01) in the patients who received placebo in comparison with almost unchanged levels, from 6.6 to 7.1 pg/mL (P = 0.26), in the patients treated with Viusid (P = 0.001). In addition, IL-10 levels were markedly increased in the patients treated with Viusid (from 2.6 to 8.3 pg/mL, P = 0.04) in contrast to the patients assigned to placebo (from 2.8 to 4.1 pg/mL, P = 0.09) (P = 0.01). Likewise, the administration of Viusid markedly increased mean IFN-gamma levels from 1.92 to 2.89 pg/mL (P < 0.001) in comparison with a reduction in mean levels from 1.80 to 1.68 pg/mL (P = 0.70) in the placebo group (P < 0.0001). Viusid administration was well tolerated.. Our results indicate that treatment with Viusid leads to a notable improvement of oxidative stress and immunological parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Cytokines; Dietary Supplements; Female; Glycyrrhizic Acid; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Malondialdehyde; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Pantothenic Acid; Placebos; Plant Extracts; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B 6; Zinc

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Bayes Theorem; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Inpatients; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin D

Clinical research results on the relationship between folate and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are contradictory. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a recently proposed concept. Evidence about the relationship between serum folate and MAFLD, especially considering the status of serum vitamin C, is scarce. This study was aimed to investigate the association of serum folate levels with the prevalence of MAFLD, and further to analyze the potential impact of serum vitamin C status on their association.. Totally 2,797 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 were included. Vibration-controlled transient elastography was used to detect liver steatosis and fibrosis. Participants were divided in groups based on the tertiles of serum folate or vitamin C, and the serum folate or vitamin C level in T1 was low. Logistic regression analysis in the complex sample module was performed to illustrate the association of serum folate levels with the prevalence of MAFLD. Stratification analysis by serum vitamin C status was performed as well.. Compared with the serum folate levels of T1 group, participants in the T3 group had 47.9% lower risk of MAFLD [OR = 0.521 (95% CI: 0.401-0.677)]. However, when participants were stratified by serum vitamin C levels, there was no association between the serum folate levels and MAFLD in the T1 or T2 group. Among participants in the T3 group of vitamin C status, participants in the T3 group of serum folate had a 63.6% lower risk of MAFLD compared with the T1 group [OR = 0.364 (95% CI: 0.147-0.903)].. High serum folate level is associated with lower prevalence of MAFLD, especially in participants with sufficient vitamin C.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Folic Acid; Humans; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Nutrition Surveys; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Liver metastatic disease is the main cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. During metastatic spread of the disease an imbalance in the oxidative stress and inflammation plays a crucial role in tumor progression. In order to improve the efficacy of current therapies, new complementary therapeutic approaches are being analyzed including biologically active compounds with low side effects. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Ocoxin® oral solution (OOS) prompt us to analyze its effect on the metastatic development of CRC to the liver. First, in vitro effect of OOS in tumor cell viability and migration was analyzed. Second, in vivo effect of different dosage patterns and concentrations in the development of hepatic metastasis was analyzed by intra-splenic inoculation of C26 colon carcinoma cells in Balb/c mice. Third, the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin, caspase-3 and Ki-67 expression was quantified by immunohistochemistry, then gene expression levels of inflammatory factors were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. According to our results, OOS reduced tumor cell viability and migration in vitro. Moreover, in vivo daily administration of OOS from the 7th day after tumor cell inoculation decreased the total area and size of metastatic foci in the liver. Furthermore, cell proliferation and fibroblast recruitment was decreased in tumor foci while a higher number of apoptotic cells were observed. Finally, RNA levels for the inflammatory mediators COX-2, IFNγ, IL1β, IL6 and TNFα were reduced in total liver. In conclusion, OOS reduced the metastatic development of colorectal cancer to the liver by increasing apoptosis, and decreasing tumor cell proliferation and fibroblast recruitment in the tumor foci, as well as the expression of inflammatory mediators in total liver. These results point out OOS as a potential supplement to be applied as complementary therapy for the treatment of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Ascorbic Acid; Caspase 3; Cell Proliferation; Colorectal Neoplasms; Folic Acid; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Glycyrrhizic Acid; Humans; Ki-67 Antigen; Liver Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Neoplasm Proteins; Pantothenic Acid; Plant Extracts; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B 6; Zinc; Zinc Sulfate

A diet restricted to rice and boiled fruit and vegetables leads to vitamin C deficiency. We describe the third case, to our knowledge, of retinal hemorrhages related to scurvy. Reduced bilateral visual acuity in a 50-year-old patient was associated with macrocytic anemia, denutrition, and cutaneous ecchymoses. Oral vitamin C treatment provided subjective clinical improvement and regression of the retinal hemorrhages on fundus examination, with no side effects. Vitamin C plays an important role in collagen stability in vascular and bone walls.

Topics: Anemia, Macrocytic; Ascorbic Acid; Collagen; Cooking; Diet, Vegetarian; Ecchymosis; Emergencies; Gastritis, Atrophic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retinal Hemorrhage; Scurvy; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

This study investigated levels of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, in 37 male and 112 female overweight and obese Thai volunteers (body mass index; BMI > or = 25.00), and 23 male and 90 female normal-weight Thai volunteers, who came for a physical check-up at the Out-patient Department, General Practice Section, Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok from March to October of 2000. Data included anthropometric measurements and waist/hip ratios. All anthropometric variables, except height, were significantly higher for the overweight subjects than for the normal subjects. Statistically significantly higher levels of serum homocysteine were found in the overweight subjects. Serum homocysteine concentrations in overweight and obese males were significantly higher than in overweight and obese females. Serum folic acid and vitamin C in the overweight and obese were found to be statistically significantly lower than in the control subjects. No statistically significant difference in vitamin B12 was found in the overweight and obese subjects compared with the normal control subjects. The medians of serum folic acid and vitamin C concentrations for the overweight and obese males were significantly lower than those of the overweight and obese females. A negative correlation was found between serum folic acid and homocysteine concentrations in all overweight and obese subjects. A significant negative correlation between serum folic acid and vitamin B6 was observed in both male and female overweight and obese subjects. The results of the investigation suggest that homocysteine levels in overweight and obese subjects seem to be caused by insufficient dietary folic acid intake and probably not by B12 deficiency.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Body Constitution; Case-Control Studies; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Thailand; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B 6

Concern has been raised that high levels of ascorbic acid consumption may lead to potential adverse effects, such as vitamin B12 deficiency, iron overload, and kidney stones.. To examine the relation of serum ascorbic acid level, which reflects intake, to serum vitamin B12 level, serum ferritin level, and kidney stones.. We analyzed data collected on a random sample of the US population enrolled in the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-1980. We analyzed data using linear and logistic regression models. Serum ascorbic acid, serum vitamin B12, hemoglobin, red blood cell mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and serum ferritin levels were measured using standardized protocols. History of kidney stones was determined by self-report.. After multivariate adjustment, serum ascorbic acid level was associated with higher serum vitamin B12 levels among women in regression models that assumed a linear relationship; each 57-pmol/L (1.0-mg/dL) increase in serum ascorbic acid level (range, 6-153 micromol/L [0.1 to 2.7 mg/dL]) was independently associated with a serum vitamin B12 level increase of 60 pmol/L (81 pg/ mL) (P<.001). Among men, serum ascorbic acid level was marginally associated with higher serum vitamin B12 levels: each 57-micromol/L (1.0-mg/dL) increase in serum ascorbic acid level was associated with a serum vitamin B12 level increase of 27 pmol/L (36 pg/mL) (P = .10). In addition, serum ascorbic acid level was not associated with correlates of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as higher MCV levels, macrocytosis (MCV >100), or lower hemoglobin concentrations. Serum ascorbic acid level was not independently associated with serum ferritin levels. However, among women only, serum ascorbic acid levels were associated in a nonlinear fashion with prevalence of elevated serum ferritin levels (P = .02). We found no association between serum ascorbic acid level and prevalence of kidney stones in women or men (both P>.05).. Serum ascorbic acid levels were not associated with decreased serum vitamin B12 levels (or indicators of vitamin B12 deficiency), prevalence of kidney stones, serum ferritin levels, or-among men-prevalence of elevated serum ferritin levels. Serum ascorbic acid levels were associated with prevalence of elevated serum ferritin levels among women. Although the clinical relevance of these findings is uncertain, it seems prudent to suggest that women with a genetic susceptibility to iron overload should consider moderating their intake of ascorbic acid.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Ferritins; Humans; Iron Overload; Kidney Calculi; Linear Models; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Sex Factors; United States; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

C-terminal amidation is an essential processing step towards bioactivation of many peptides including gastrin. This reaction is catalysed by peptidylglycine alpha-amidating mono-oxygenase (PAM, EC 1.14.17.3) which converts the glycine extended precursors on their carboxyl termini to the des-glycine amidated peptide products. In the case of gastrin, most of the amidation is thought to occur in the antrum. However substantial quantities of glycine extended gastrin and PAM are present in plasma. It is unclear whether circulating PAM reflects the secretory activity of the gastrin secreting cell or whether PAM is involved in the postsecretory processing of gastrin. The aim of the present study was to relate the circulating amidation activity to the plasma concentrations of glycine extended and amidated gastrins.. Plasma PAM, gastrin-amide and gastrin-gly were measured in subjects with different gastrin secretory status: healthy subjects basally and following a meal, members of families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) with normal and high plasma gastrin, and patients with hypergastrinaemic atrophic gastritis.. Patients with MEN-1 and hypergastrinaemia tended to have a higher plasma PAM activity than MEN-1 subjects with normal circulating G-NH2 indicating a cosecretion of hormone and PAM. However in contradistinction to patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma, PAM activity does not appear to be a useful tumour marker of gastrinoma. Hypergastrinaemia from a non-tumour source (hypergastrinaemic non-atrophic gastritis) was associated with a lower plasma PAM activity than in normal subjects and may reflect the secretion of a greater proportion of already amidated gastrin. In general, there was no relationship between plasma PAM activity and the ratio of amidated to non-amidated gastrin suggesting that circulating PAM was not involved in the amidation of gastrin. Feeding increased circulating gastrin but had no effect on plasma PAM activity.. The results support the view that gastrin is amidated at the site of its synthesis and that hypergastrinaemia is associated with elevated plasma amidating enzyme activity only when the gastrin originates from tumour sources.

Topics: Anemia, Pernicious; Ascorbic Acid; Copper; Eating; Enzyme Activation; Freezing; Gastrins; Humans; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Multienzyme Complexes; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

When compared with the normal population, patients with vitiligo often showed diminished blood levels of folic acid. In a group of fifteen patients with vitiligo, folic acid levels were below normal in the serum of eleven patients, in the whole blood of five patients, and in the erythrocytes of six patients. Vitamin B12 serum levels were below normal in five of the fifteen patients. Ascorbic acid plasma levels were also lowered in four of the patients. In eight patients prolonged oral administration of folic acid with simultaneous parenteral treatment with vitamin B12 and oral ascorbic acid was followed by definite repigmentation without side effects.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitiligo

L1210 cell line cells were made deficient in Cbl by propagation in a medium devoid of CNCbl in which fetal calf serum had been replaced by bovine serum albumin. These Cbl-deficient cells gradually ceased to multiply when the medium contained 5-CH3THF, although cell growth was resumed following the addition of CNCbl, OHCbl or folic acid. The results of this study provide experimental proof for the 'methyl trap' hypothesis. In contrast to the above effect of CNCbl, cobinamide and Cbl analogues which were produced by a reaction of OHCbl with ascorbic acid did not have any growth-inducing effect on the cells which had been cultured in a 5-CH3THF-supplemented medium and had ceased to multiply. Nor did these analogues have an inhibitory effect on CNCbl-dependent growth.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cell Division; Cobalt Radioisotopes; Cobamides; Culture Media; Folic Acid; Growth Inhibitors; Hydroxocobalamin; Leukemia L1210; Mice; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Avitaminosis; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Pyridoxine; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency; Vitamin K; Vitamin K Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Amygdalin; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Cyanides; Diet Therapy; Dietary Proteins; Humans; Iron Deficiencies; Neoplasms; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aging; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotinic Acids; Nutritional Requirements; Thiamine; Thiamine Deficiency; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency; Vitamins

The case is reported of a 29-year-old previously healthy female patient who developed the typical clinical picture of scurvy eight months after changing to a diet exclusively containing cooked cereals. Serum levels of B12, folic acid, and calcium were lowered and the alkaline phosphatase was slightly raised due to the dietary lack of vitamins A, D, B12 and folic acid. No clinical signs of these deficiencies could be observed. Addition of vitamin C to this diet resulted in complete cure in a matter of days. Signs and symptoms of scurvy are discussed in the light of the recent literature. This rare disease is particularly worth considering if one of the following situations is encountered: hemorrhages in the skin, muscles, joints or mucous membranes without apparent cause; therapy-resistant ulcers of mucous membranes in elderly patients; Sicca syndrome and/or wounds exhibiting poor healing.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Diet Fads; Female; Humans; Scurvy; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin D Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Avitaminosis; Contraceptives, Oral; Female; Humans; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Riboflavin Deficiency; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency

A dietary deficiency of vitamin B12 was produced in the baboon by use of an artificial diet. Deficiency was further aggravated by feeding propionate or ampicillin, as judged by serum, liver and brain vitamin B12 levels, and urinary excretion of methyl malonic acid. Reduced glutathione levels in the blood and liver increased during deficiency, while ascorbic acid levels were not affected, Brain and liver nucleic acids did not change significantly. Blood pyruvate and serum lipid factors were affected more in the group fed propionate. These results are compared with the work on vitamin B12 deficient rats and pernicious anaemia in humans.

Topics: Ampicillin; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Depression, Chemical; Diet; Glutathione; Haplorhini; Lipids; Liver; Male; Methylmalonic Acid; Nucleic Acids; Papio; Propionates; Pyruvates; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Burns; Child; Contraceptives, Oral; Depression; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Infant; Infections; Leg Ulcer; Pyridoxine; Scurvy; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins; Wound Healing; Zinc

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Middle Aged; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Anemia, Macrocytic; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Contraceptives, Oral; Depression; Female; Folic Acid Deficiency; Glutathione Reductase; Humans; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin Deficiency; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Hemoglobinometry; Humans; Iron; Male; Protein Binding; Salicylates; Scotland; Sex Factors; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Anemia, Hypochromic; Anemia, Pernicious; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Iron; Middle Aged; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Cholesterol; Czechoslovakia; Deficiency Diseases; Diet; Dietary Fats; Female; Humans; Iron; Male; Middle Aged; Seasons; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Aged; Anemia, Pernicious; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Cell Count; Erythrocytes; Female; Folic Acid; Hemoglobinometry; Humans; Male; Malonates; Middle Aged; Reticulocytes; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Achlorhydria; Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Transfusion; Folic Acid; Geriatrics; Humans; Scurvy; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Measurement of the serum Lactobacillus casei (;folic-acid') activity is widely used as an index of folic-acid deficiency. Present methods of assay result in recovery of about half the active material in normal serum. A modified method of assay is described which gives higher L. casei values and a clearer distinction between the sera of normal subjects and of patients with folic-acid deficiency.

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Macrocytic; Ascorbic Acid; Biological Assay; Blood; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Lactobacillus; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Anemia, Pernicious; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Folic Acid; Humans; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency