Effect Of Vitamin B12 Supplementation Research Articles

When do the elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease need the vitamin B12 supplementation?

Serum vitamin B12 levels are usually subnormal in elderly subjects. It is still debated whether there is an association between cognitive impairment and vitamin B12 supplementation. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on cognitive functions and activities of daily living in elderly with Alzheimer disease having low vitamin B12 levels by using neuropsychological assessment scales. Eighty-seven elderly patients with Alzheimer disease having low vitamin B12 levels (<400 pg/ml) were evaluated in this study. Subjects were recommended to receive 1000 micrograms intramuscularly cyanocobalamin weekly for 1 month, then monthly for 5 months. All patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment at baseline and after 6 months. After 6 months, at the second evaluation, 36 subjects had not received intramuscular B12 supplementation. While their complete blood count parameters were stable, all of the following parameters were found to decrease significantly; vitamin B12 levels, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, mini-mental state examination, clock drawing and Yesavage geriatric depression scales scores, when compared to baseline. However, 51 subjects who had received B12 supplementation, showed statistically significant increase in their vitamin B12 levels, mini-mental state examination, clock-drawing test and Yesavage geriatric depression scales scores and preservation in their activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living scales' scores, when compared to baseline. Supplementation for elderly patients with Alzheimer disease having vitamin B12 levels lower than 400pg/ml seems to be favorable to maintain the cognitive status and the activities of daily living. Therefore, annual screening for vitamin B12 levels and intramuscular vitamin B12 supplementation is recommended to prevent probable neuropsychiatric problems, to maintain the functionality, and to decrease the morbidity in all geriatric subjects.

A High Prevalence of Biochemical Evidence of Vitamin B12 or Folate Deficiency does not Translate into a Comparable Prevalence of Anemia

Based on biochemical evidence, a high prevalence of biochemical evidence of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency has been reported in a number of areas in the world. The evidence that these biochemical abnormalities lead to a comparable prevalence of anemia is reviewed. The overall contribution of vitamin B12 deficiency to the global burden of anemia is probably not significant, except perhaps in women and their infants and children in vegetarian communities. In developed countries, folate-deficiency anemia is uncommon. In some developing countries, this anemia is still seen, but there are no comprehensive data on the relative prevalence compared with anemia due to malaria, iron-deficiency, hemoglobinopathy, and HIV disease. It seems unlikely that folate deficiency makes a major contribution to the burden of anemia in developing countries. Iron-deficiency anemia may coexist with vitamin B12 and especially folate deficiency, and may confound the hematological features of the vitamin deficiencies whose prevalence would then be underestimated. Supplementation of the diet of pregnant women with folic acid can virtually eliminate folate-deficiency anemia in these women. There are very few data on the hematological effect of vitamin B12 supplementation or fortification at the population level. The addition of vitamin B12 to the supplementation of the diet of pregnant women with iron and folic acid does not produce an increased hematological response, at least in nonvegetarian populations. There are numerous reports of the effect of folic acid fortification of food on tests of folate status, but only a single published report on the hematological response was found.

A homozygous nonsense mutation in the methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase gene (MCEE) results in mild methylmalonic aciduria

Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA-uria) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of amino acid metabolism, involving valine, threonine, isoleucine, and methionine. This organic aciduria may present in the neonatal period with life-threatening metabolic acidosis, hyperammonemia, feeding difficulties, pancytopenia, and coma. Most affected patients have mutations in the methylmalonyl-coenzyme A (methylmalonyl-CoA) mutase gene. Mildly affected patients may present in childhood with failure to thrive and recurrent attacks of metabolic acidosis. Both a higher residual activity of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase as well as the vitamin B12-responsive defects (cblA and cblB) may form the basis of the mild disorder. A few patients with moderate MMA-uria are known in whom no defect could be identified. Here we present a 16-year-old female patient with persisting moderate MMA-uria (approximately 50 mmol/mol creatinine). She was born to consanguineous Caucasian parents. Her fibroblast mutase activity was normal and no effect of vitamin B12 supplementation could be established. Reduced incorporation of 14C-propionate into macromolecules suggested a defect in the propionate-to-succinate pathway. We found a homozygous nonsense mutation (c.139C>T) in the methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase gene (MCEE), resulting in an early terminating signal (p.R47X). Both parents were heterozygous for this mutation; they were found to excrete normal amounts of methylmalonic acid (MMA). This is the first report of methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase deficiency, thereby unequivocally demonstrating the biochemical role of this enzyme in human metabolism.

Vitamin B12 for cognition.

An association between neuropsychiatric disorders and vitamin B12 deficiency has been recognized since 1849 when pernicious anaemia was first described. It has been suggested that deficiency of vitamin B12 might contribute to age-associated cognitive impairment. Low serum vitamin B12 concentrations are found in more than 10% of older people. A high prevalence of low serum vitamin B12 levels, and other indicators of vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported among people with Alzheimer's disease. A review is needed of trials assessing effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on cognitive function in later life. To examine the effect of B12 supplementation on cognitive function of demented and elderly healthy people in terms of preventing the onset or progression of cognitive impairment or dementia. The trials were identified from a search of the Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group on 12 September 2002 using the terms listed in additional table 1. In addition MEDLINE 1966 to 2002/09 and EMBASE 1980-2002/08 were searched using the same terms and cognit* to pick up studies with healthy volunteers. All randomized double-blind trials in which vitamin B12 at any dose was compared with placebo. Both reviewers applied the selection criteria to assess the quality of the studies. One reviewer collated and analysed the data. For each outcome measure data were sought on every patient randomized. From the two included studies (Seal 2002; Fourniere 1997) of people with dementia and low serum vitamin B12 levels, there was no statistically significant evidence of treatment effect, vitamin B12 supplementation compared with placebo, on cognitive function. Evidence of any efficacy of vitamin B12 in improving the cognitive function of people with dementia and low serum B12 levels is insufficient. The two trials of acceptable methodology (Fourniere 1997; Seal 2002) were restricted to a small number of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other types of cognitive impairment. No trials involving people without dementia or using other definitions of vitamin B12 deficiency were found.

Effect of vitamin B12 supplementation in serum total homocysteine and folate in patients with end-stage renal failure

Effect of vitamin B12 supplementation in serum total homocysteine and folate in patients with end-stage renal failure

EFFECTS OF VITAMIN B12 ON SERUM LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS OF PIGS FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH PROPIONIC ACID OR CALCIUM PROPIONATE

Effects of vitamin B12 supplementation of diets containing propionic acid (PA), or calcium propionate (CP) on feed intake, serum lipids and lipoproteins were studied utilizing 80 crossbred pigs averaging 22.5 kg. Diets, based on barley-soybean meal, containing 0, 3.5 or 7% PA or CP, were fed with and without the addition of 4.95 mg vitamin B12/kg diet. Inclusion of PA or CP with or without the addition of vitamin B12 had no significant effect on feed intake. Addition of PA or CP depressed serum cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and serum triglycerides. Vitamin B12 supplementation had no effect on serum total cholesterol or HDL cholesterol, caused a reduction in LDL cholesterol, and tended to overcome the reduction in serum triglyceride. Supplementation of diets with vitamin B12 reduced liver lipid levels, largely as a result of a decrease in cholesterol and phospholipids. These data suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effect of PA is not simply a result of a depression in feed intake, but arises from a direct action of PA on cholesterol metabolism. Key words: Vitamin B12, lipids, lipo protein, pigs, propionic, propionate

EFFECTS OF VITAMIN B12 ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS TRAITS OF PIGS FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH PROPIONIC ACID OR CALCIUM PROPIONATE

Effects of vitamin B12 supplementation of diets containing propionic acid (PA) or calcium propionate (CP) on average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), backfat measurements and fatty acid (FA) composition, were studied utilizing 80 crossbred pigs averaging 22.5 kg. Diets based on barley-soybean meal, containing 0, 3.5 or 7% PA or CP were fed with and without the addition of 4.95 mg of vitamin B12 per kg of diet. The addition of PA depressed average daily feed(ADF) intake, while CP had no effect. ADG was reduced when either 7% PA or CP was fed, but ADG was slightly improved when 3.5% PA or CP was fed. FCE was improved when 3.5 or 7% PA or 3.5% CP was fed, but 7% CP depressed FCE. Vitamin B12 supplementation slightly improved the ADG and FCE of pigs fed CP, but had no effect on pigs fed PA. None of these differences was significant at the 5% level. Addition of CP significantly reduced the thickness of carcass backfat in treated pigs. Supplementation with vitamin B12 eliminated this reduction. A similar, though non-significant, trend was observed with PA. Pigs fed 7% PA or CP had significantly higher levels of odd-chain FA 17:0 and 17:1 in carcass back fat. Addition of vitamin B12 mollified this effect. In addition, vitamin B12 supplementation of PA-treated pigs significantly increased the levels of the unsaturated FA 18:2 and 18:3.

Effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on physical fitness and growth of young boys.

Effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on physical fitness and growth of young boys.

Effect of vitamin B12 on work capacity.

The effect of Vitamin B12 supplementation consisting of daily 50 μg. oral doses was studied in three normal, healthy, young male adults. No effect was observed on grip strength, pulse rate recovery following a standard exercise, or maximum work on a bicycle ergometer.

The Effect of Vitamin B12 Supplements and Antibiotic Feed Supplements on Egg Production and Hatchability

INTRODUCTIONTHE effect of vitamin B12 on hatchability has been demonstrated by a number of workers. Lillie, Olson and Bird (1949) found that the injection of vitamin B12 into eggs from hens depleted in this vitamin markedly improved hatchability. The beneficial effect of feeding APF concentrates (containing B12 or B12 and antibiotics) on hatchability has been reported by Lindstrom et al. (1949), Olcese et al. (1950), and Carver and Mc-Ginnis (1950). Elam et al. (1951) have presented data which they interpret as showing that antibiotics stimulate egg production and hatchability.The experiments to be reported herein deal with the use of vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 and antibiotic feed supplements in laying and breeding rations of birds maintained under practical conditions. Data on the relation between built up litter and hatchability are also presented inasmuch as Kennard et al. (1948) and Halbrook et al. (1950) have stressed the value of .

Supplementation with Vitamin B12 and Amino Acids of Chick Diets Containing Soybean or Cottonseed Meal

NUTRITIONISTS have made numerous attempts to devise adequate poultry rations by the use of vegetable products as the sole source of protein. Many studies have been conducted with diets based chiefly on corn and soybean oil meal. The work of Bird and Mattingly (1945), Clandinin et al. (1946), Gerry et al. (1948), and Milligan et al. (1951) has demonstrated that such diets are deficient in methionine. In the report of Briggs et al. (1950), evidence of growth stimulation in normal chicks by vitamin B12 concentrates and crystalline vitamin B12 was presented. The basal diet consisted primarily of corn and soybean oil meal. Their paper included a review of the literature concerning the effect of vitamin B12 supplements in chick diets.Fewer studies have been conducted with cottonseed meal as a protein supplement in all-vegetable rations. Grau (1946) reported that when cottonseed meal was the sole source of protein, such diets .