scholarly journals Holotranscobalamin Is a Useful Marker of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Alcoholics

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Fragasso ◽  
Clara Mannarella ◽  
Angela Ciancio ◽  
Oronzo Scarciolla ◽  
Nicoletta Nuzzolese ◽  
...  

Background. Measurement of serum cobalamin (Cbl) levels is the standard investigation for assessing vitamin B12 deficiency. Falsely increased values of Cbl can be caused by alcoholic liver disease. Measurement of total vitamin B12 serum levels might be misleading in alcoholics, because a tissue metabolic deficiency is possible even with normal serum Cbl levels. Holotranscobalamin (HoloTC), the Cbl metabolically active fraction, is considered as a better index of vitamin B12 deficiency.Methods. For assessing vitamin B12 status, we evaluated 22 adult alcoholic male patients by measuring in parallel serum Cbl, serum folate and red blood cell folate levels, HoloTC levels by the AxSYM assay.Results. HoloTC values were reduced in 3 alcoholics with borderline-low Cbl values. Significant positive correlations were found between serum Cbl and HoloTC levels, serum Cbl and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT).Conclusion. HoloTC measurement is a useful option for assessing vitamin B12 status in alcoholics, particularly in the subjects with borderline Cbl values and may be considered an early marker of vitamin B12 deficiency.

2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S87-S87
Author(s):  
S N Mattox ◽  
D Kozman ◽  
G Singh

Abstract Introduction/Objective To identify clinical/laboratory factors associated with folate deficiency in tertiary care patients. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 1019 patients with serum folate <7.0 ng/mL, 301 patients with serum folate of 15 ng/mL, and 300 patients with serum folate > 23 ng/mL. Results Serum prealbumin levels were subnormal in 54.8% of patients with serum folate <7.0 ng/mL. Vitamin B12, hemoglobin, and serum albumin levels were significantly lower in the <7.0 ng/mL folate group. In 62.4% of patients with serum folate <7.0 ng/mL, 1 or more markers of malnutrition were present. The low-folate group had a significantly higher prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, sepsis, and abnormal serum creatinine level. There were no significant differences in the 2 groups regarding diabetes; behavioral/neurological disorders, including drug and alcohol abuse; bariatric surgery; or a diagnosis of malnutrition. The average body mass index (BMI) for the <7.0 ng/mL and 15 ng/mL folate groups was significantly different (28.89 and 28.31, respectively), although the difference does not appear to be clinically meaningful. Conclusion The prevalence of folate deficiency depends on what is considered a normal serum folate level. Approximately 10% of tertiary care patients have levels <7.0 ng/mL and exhibit other markers of malnutrition. It is recommended that patients with GI disorders, chronic kidney disease, and sepsis be routinely tested for serum folate levels, before administration of vitamin supplements. Patients with serum folate levels <7.0 ng/mL should be evaluated for malnutrition, despite BMI > 25. Folate supplementation should be administered only after excluding coexisting vitamin B12 deficiency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 507-511
Author(s):  
Diana Kozman ◽  
Samantha Mattox ◽  
Gurmukh Singh

Abstract Objective To identify clinical/laboratory factors associated with folate deficiency in tertiary care patients. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 1019 patients with serum folate <7.0 ng/mL, 301 patients with serum folate of 15 ng/mL, and 300 patients with serum folate > 23 ng/mL. Results Serum prealbumin levels were subnormal in 54.8% of patients with serum folate <7.0 ng/mL. Vitamin B12, hemoglobin, and serum albumin levels were significantly lower in the <7.0 ng/mL folate group. In 62.4% of patients with serum folate <7.0 ng/mL, 1 or more markers of malnutrition were present. The low-folate group had a significantly higher prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, sepsis, and abnormal serum creatinine level. There were no significant differences in the 2 groups regarding diabetes; behavioral/neurological disorders, including drug and alcohol abuse; bariatric surgery; or a diagnosis of malnutrition. The average body mass index (BMI) for the <7.0 ng/mL and 15 ng/mL folate groups was significantly different (28.89 and 28.31, respectively), although the difference does not appear to be clinically meaningful. Conclusions The prevalence of folate deficiency depends on what is considered a normal serum folate level. Approximately 10% of tertiary-care patients have levels <7.0 ng/mL and exhibit other markers of malnutrition. It is recommended that patients with GI disorders, chronic kidney disease, and sepsis be routinely tested for serum folate levels, before administration of vitamin supplements. Patients with serum folate levels <7.0 ng/mL should be evaluated for malnutrition, despite BMI > 25. Folate supplementation should be administered only after excluding coexisting vitamin B12 deficiency.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 003685042110076
Author(s):  
Nazmi Mutlu Karakaş

Background: In this study, the aim was to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D, vitamin B12, ferritin, and folate deficiencies in adolescence to clarify the need for early diagnosis and therapy. Methods: The medical records of adolescents between 10 and 18 years of age between 01 September 2018 and 28 February 2019 as healthy with non-specific complaints, or due to well-child care visits, were analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of 1847/2507 (73.6%) adolescents were included in the study. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 25.7% (n: 178/691). Vitamin B12 deficiency prevalence was 69.2% (n: 753/1088). The prevalence of anemia and ferritin deficiency was 4.8% and 13.26%. The prevalence of folate deficiency was 37.9% (n: 413/1088). VDD prevalence was statistically significantly higher in females than males (F/M:116/62). VB12D prevalence, the number and mean age of females with hemoglobin deficiency, and low ferritin levels was found to be statistically significantly higher in females than males. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate deficiency and low ferritin levels was found to be high among adolescents. In particular, adolescents admitting with non-specific complaints and for control purposes in big cities must be considered to be at risk for the deficiency of these vitamins and low level of ferritin.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Guetterman ◽  
Bryan Gannon ◽  
Saurabh Mehta ◽  
Marshall Glesby ◽  
Julia Finkelstein

Abstract Objectives To 1) examine the burden of vitamin B12 deficiency, 2) determine the effects of recombinant growth hormone and rosiglitazone on vitamin B12 status, and 3) investigate vitamin B12 status as a risk factor for changes in insulin sensitivity (SI) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), among HIV-infected patients with insulin resistance and visceral adiposity participating in a randomized controlled trial. Methods Participants were 72 HIV-infected adults (median [IQR]: 48 [43, 53] y) with insulin resistance and visceral adiposity who participated in a 12-week randomized trial of recombinant growth hormone (GH) and rosiglitazone (R). Venous blood samples were collected at baseline, 4, and 12 weeks, and samples were centrifuged, processed, and stored <−80°C until analysis. Total vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), homocysteine, and serum folate were measured in a subset. Vitamin B12 deficiency and insufficiency were defined as <148.0 pmol/L and <221.0 pmol/L, respectively. Elevated MMA was defined as >0.26 µmol/L.Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the effects of treatment on vitamin B12 status. Generalized linear models were used to assess the associations of vitamin B12 concentrations with SI and VAT. Results A total of 2.3% of patients were vitamin B12 deficient and 13.6% were vitamin B12insufficient at baseline (median [IQR]: 419.8 [287.0, 538.6] pmol/L); 5.4% had elevated MMA concentrations. The GH + R intervention significantly lowered vitamin B12 concentrations at 4 (β: −66.6, 95% CI: −119.6, −13.6, P = 0.01) and 12 (β: −73.3, 95% CI: −117.8, −28.7, P = 0.001) weeks, compared to placebo. The GH-only intervention significantly lowered vitamin B12concentrations at 12 weeks (β: −89.1, 95% CI: −143.0, −35.3, P = 0.001), compared to placebo. Vitamin B12 concentrations did not significantly change in the R-only group. There were no significant changes in MMA concentrations. Vitamin B12 concentrations at baseline were not significantly associated with changes in SI or VAT (P > 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was low in HIV-infected individuals with insulin resistance and visceral adiposity. However, interventions containing recombinant growth hormone decreased vitamin B12 status during follow-up. Funding Sources BG was supported by NIH/NCATS Grant # TL1-TR-002386; Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 644-644
Author(s):  
Amy Fothergill ◽  
Charles Rose ◽  
Krista Crider ◽  
Beena Bose ◽  
Heather Guetterman ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To estimate the serum folate insufficiency threshold (sf-IT) corresponding to the red blood cell (RBC) folate insufficiency threshold for optimal neural tube defect (NTD) prevention. Methods Participants were 977 women of reproductive age (WRA; 15–40y; not pregnant or lactating) from a population-based biomarker survey in Southern India. Venous blood samples were collected at enrollment. Plasma, serum, and red blood cells were centrifuged, processed, and stored &lt; -80°C until batch analysis. Total vitamin B12 concentrations were measured via chemiluminescence; RBC and serum folate concentrations were measured using the World Health Organization-recommended microbiological assay. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as total vitamin B12 &lt; 148 pmol/L. Folate insufficiency was defined as RBC folate &lt; 748 nmol/L, the recommended calibrator-adjusted equivalent of the threshold for population optimal NTD prevention. A previously developed Bayesian model and the RBC and serum folate distributions in this population were used to estimate the sf-IT corresponding to the RBC folate insufficiency threshold for optimal NTD prevention, overall and by age, body mass index (BMI) category, HbA1c, anemia, and vitamin B12 status. Results The overall estimated median sf-IT was 37.8 nmol/L (95% credible interval [33.8–43.3]). This threshold was lower in overweight WRA (BMI: ≥25.0 kg/m2: 32.0 nmol/L [27.3–40.2] vs. BMI &lt; 25.0 kg/m2: 36.2 nmol/L [32.2–43.3]), and varied by age (&lt; 25y: 61.3 nmol/L [44.3–111.8]; 25 to 35y: 35.7 nmol/L [30.8–43.5]; ≥35y: 30.8 nmol/L [26.9–37.2]). The sf-IT was lower in anemic WRA (32.9 nmol/L [28.5–40.1]) compared to non-anemic WRA (42.0 nmol/L [36.1–51.3]), and lower in WRA with elevated HbA1c (≥5.7% to &lt; 6.5: 32.4 nmol/L [27.3–41.6]; ≥6.5%: 20.9 nmol/L [17.8–25.6]) vs. WRA with HbA1c &lt; 5.7% (43.8 nmol/L, [37.5–53.7]). The median sf-IT was higher in WRA with vitamin B12 deficiency (72.1 nmol/L [52.0–126.0]), compared to women who were not vitamin B12 deficient (28.1 nmol/L [25.6–31.5]). Conclusions The estimated sf-IT is dependent on anemia, elevated HbA1c, BMI, age, and vitamin B12 status. Funding Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; AF was supported by the National Institutes of Health #5 T32 HD087137.


Anemia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Clara Chamba ◽  
Ahlam Nasser ◽  
William F. Mawalla ◽  
Upendo Masamu ◽  
Neema Budodi Lubuva ◽  
...  

Introduction. Anaemia is a common problem in sub-Saharan Africa. While most literature has focused on children, women of childbearing age, and pregnant women, data for the elderly population are relatively scarce. Anaemia exhorts negative consequences to functional ability of elderly patients, both physically and cognitively. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia, severity, and micronutrient deficiency status in the elderly hospitalized patients in Tanzania. Methods. A total of 156 hospitalized adults aged 60 years and above were enrolled in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to capture sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Blood samples were collected, and a complete blood count, serum cobalamin, serum ferritin, and serum folate levels were measured to assess anaemia and micronutrient deficiency status in all participants who had anaemia. Results. The prevalence of anaemia was 79.5% (124/156) with severe anaemia in 33.9% (42/124) of participants, moderate anaemia in 42.7% (53/124) of participants, and 23.4% (29/124) of all participants had mild anaemia. Micronutrient deficiency was found in 14.5% (18/124) of all participants with anaemia. Combined deficiency (either iron and vitamin B12 deficiency or iron and folate deficiency) was the most common micronutrient deficiency anaemia with a frequency of 33.3% (6/18), followed by isolated iron and folate deficiencies at equal frequency of 27.8% (5/18) and vitamin B12 deficiency at 11.1% (2/18). Conclusion. The prevalence of anaemia in the hospitalized elderly population is high warranting public health attention and mostly present in moderate and severe forms. Micro-nutrient deficiency anaemia is common in this age group and is mostly due to combined micronutrient deficiency.


Blood ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 774-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTINE LAWRENCE

Abstract 57CoB12 was added to serum in vitro to study its binding by the three known serum B12-binders in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency and in normal controls. Gel filtration through columns of Sephadex G-200 was used to separate the low (beta) and high (alpha1 and beta) molecular weight B12-binding fractions. Electrophoresis on filter paper was used to separate the alpha1- and beta-globulins. The alpha1-globulin fraction in the serum of B12-deficient patients bound more of the added 57CoB12 than did this fraction in normal serum, presumably because this binder of the serum endogenous vitamin B12 is much less saturated in B12-deficiency. However, the total B12 binding capacity of the alpha1-globulin (for endogenous plus added vitamin B12) was lower in B12-deficient than in normal serum. The low molecular weight beta-binder bound more added 57CoB12 in B12-deficient than in normal serum, whereas the high molecular weight beta binder had a much lower B12-binding capacity in deficient than in normal serum. These abnormalities were independent of the cause of the vitamin B12 deficiency and disappeared after successful treatment with vitamin B12.


1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Oxnard ◽  
W. Thomas Smith ◽  
I. Torres

Monkeys fed vegetarian diets develop neurological and haematological abnormalities; paralysis can occur though the neural lesions (cerebral degeneration, posterior and lateral column degeneration of the spinal cord, segmental and wallerian degeneration of the peripheral nerves) are usually not evident during life. It is clearly important that the diet given to captive animals should contain an adequate amount of vitamin B12, and that newly captive monkeys should not be used for research purposes unless shown to have normal serum levels of the vitamin.


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