Levels Of Water-soluble Vitamins Research Articles

Biotin Requirements Are Lower in Human Jurkat Lymphoid Cells but Homeostatic Mechanisms Are Similar to Those of HepG2 Liver Cells1–2

The following proteins are candidates for maintaining biotin homeostasis in humans: the biotin transporters sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) and monocarboxylate transporter 1, the biotinyl-protein ligase holocarboxylase synthetase (HCS), and the lysine-ϵ-biotin hydrolase biotinidase. Liver cells are supplied through the portal vein with high levels of water-soluble vitamins compared with those of peripheral tissues. We hypothesized that the mechanisms of biotin homeostasis are qualitatively and quantitatively different in cells derived from human liver (HepG2 cells) and lymphoid tissues (Jurkat cells). Cells were cultured in biotin-defined media, representing deficient (D), normal (N), and supplemented (S) individuals. Biotinylation of carboxylases depended on biotin availability in both cell types, but HepG2 cells required 3 times more biotin than Jurkat cells to maintain normal levels of holocarboxylases. The expression of biotin transporters was less in both types in medium S compared with cells in media D and N; in contrast, the expression of HCS was higher in cells in medium S compared with the other cells. The abundance of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase mRNA was lower in cells in medium D than cells in media N and S. The enrichment of biotinylated histones was higher at the SMVT promoter 1 in HepG2 and Jurkat cells in medium S compared with the corresponding cells in media D and N, presumably repressing the SMVT gene. The mechanisms of biotin homeostasis are qualitatively similar but quantitatively different in HepG2 and Jurkat cells; HCS, histone biotinylation, and biotin transporters play a role in homeostasis in both.

Twenty-four-hour urinary water-soluble vitamin levels correlate with their intakes in free-living Japanese university students

We examined the association between 24-h urinary excretion of water-soluble vitamin levels and their intakes in free-living Japanese university students. The design used was cross-sectional study. A total of 216 healthy, free-living male and female Japanese university students aged 18-27 years voluntarily participated in this study, of which 156 students were eligible for this assessment. All foods consumed for 4 consecutive days were recorded accurately by a weighed food record method. A 24-h urine sample was collected on the fourth day, and the urinary levels of water-soluble vitamins were measured. Each urinary water-soluble vitamin level, except for vitamin B(12), was correlated positively with its mean intake in the recent 2-4 days (vitamin B(1): r=0.42, P<0.001; vitamin B(2): r=0.43, P<0.001; vitamin B(6): r=0.40, P<0.001; vitamin B(12): r=0.06, P=0.493; niacin: r=0.35, P<0.001; niacin equivalents: r=0.33, P<0.001; pantothenic acid: r=0.47, P<0.001; folate: r=0.27, P=0.001; vitamin C: r=0.44, P<0.001). Mean estimated water-soluble vitamin intakes calculated from urinary levels and recovery rates showed 91-101% of their 3-day mean intakes, except for vitamin B(12) (61%). These results showed that urinary water-soluble vitamin levels, except for vitamin B(12), reflect their recent intakes in free-living Japanese university students, and could be used as a potential biomarker to estimate mean vitamin intake.

Urinary excretion of vitamin B1, B2, B6, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, and vitamin C correlates with dietary intakes of free-living elderly, female Japanese

We hypothesized that 24-hour urinary excretion of water-soluble vitamins might correlate with their intake in free-living Japanese elderly females aged 70 to 84 years. We performed a cross-sectional study composed of 37 healthy, elderly, Japanese females living freely. All foods and the corresponding weights consumed for 4 consecutive days were recorded accurately. A 24-hour urine sample was collected on the fourth day, and the urinary content of water-soluble vitamins was measured. The urinary levels of all vitamins, except for B(12) (r = 0.01; P = .936), were correlated positively with the mean intake over the recent 4 days (vitamin B1: r = 0.62; P < .001; vitamin B2: r = 0.57; P < .001; vitamin B6: r = 0.37; P < .005; niacin: r = 0.54; P < .001; niacin equivalents: r = 0.54; P < .001; pantothenic acid: r = 0.59; P < .001; folate: r = 0.55; P = .001; and vitamin C: r = 0.53; P < .001). Mean estimated intakes of water-soluble vitamins calculated using urinary concentrations and recovery rates showed 96% to 107% of their 3-day mean intake, except for vitamin B12 (65%). We conclude that urinary levels of water-soluble vitamins, except for B12, reflected their recent intake in free-living Japanese elderly females and could be used as a measure of their intake during the previous few days both for group means and for individual rankings within a group.

自由食摂取時における日本人学生の血中水溶性ビタミン値の男女差について

The blood levels of water-soluble vitamins were examined to identify a possible difference between male (n=23) and female (n=32) Japanese college students with free intake of food. The following values (mean±SD) were obtained. Whole blood vitamin B1: male, 100±27 pmol/ ml; female, 102±23 pmol/ ml. Whole blood vitamin B2: male, 137±45 pmol/ ml; female, 137±39 pmol/ ml. Whole blood NAD: male, 30±5 nmol/ ml; female, 32±5 nmol/ ml. Serum vitamin C: male, 42±16 nmol/ ml; female, 52±14 nmol/ ml. Serum folates: male, 15.0±5.8 pmol/ ml; female, 17.7±5.9 pmol/ ml. Serum vitamin B12: male, 0.31±0.08 pmol/ ml; female, 0.38±0.11 pmol/ ml. Serum biotin: male, 9.4±1.8 pmol/ ml; female, 7.4±1.9 pmol/ ml. The only significant difference between sexes was thus found for the vitamin B12 and vitamin C contents.

Intra- and Inter-Individual Variations of Blood and Urinary Water-Soluble Vitamins in Japanese Young Adults Consuming a Semi-Purified Diet for 7 Days

We have previously reported the levels of water-soluble vitamins in the blood and urine of Japanese young adults. In the present paper, to assess the variations in these water-soluble vitamin markers during the above experiment, we comprehensively determined the intra- and inter-individual variations of blood and urinary water-soluble vitamins to exactly the same amount of water-soluble vitamin intakes in the same experiment. The blood samples before breakfast and the 24-h urine samples were periodically collected from Japanese college male (n=10) and female (n=10) students consuming a semi-purified diet with water-soluble vitamins based on Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes for 7 d, and the intra- and inter-individual variations of blood and urinary water-soluble vitamins or their metabolites in blood and urine samples after adaptation were calculated. Although urinary excretion of vitamin B(12) and vitamin C showed high intra-individual variations in both males and females, other urinary vitamins and all blood vitamins showed less than 20% of within-subject coefficients of variance in either male or female. Those showing more than 20% of between-subject coefficients of variances in both male and female were blood vitamin B(6), vitamin B(12) and folate levels, and urinary vitamin B(1), vitamin B(2), vitamin B(12), nicotinamide metabolites, pantothenic acid, biotin and vitamin C. These results showed that oral administration of constant of water-soluble vitamins generally decreased intra-individual variation, while individual differences in urinary vitamin excretion were observed.

Washout of water‐soluble vitamins and of homocysteine during haemodialysis: Effect of high‐flux and low‐flux dialyser membranes

Vitamin deficiencies are common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) owing to dietary restrictions, drug-nutrient interactions, changes in metabolism, and vitamin losses during dialysis. The present study investigated the levels of serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate, plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), serum cobalamin, blood thiamine, blood riboflavin, and plasma homocysteine (tHcy) before and after haemodialysis treatment. Vitamin and tHcy blood concentrations were measured in 30 patients with ESRD before and after dialysis session either with low-flux (n = 15) or high-flux (n = 15) dialysers. After the dialysis procedure, significantly lower concentrations of serum folate (37%), plasma PLP (35%), blood thiamine (6%) and blood riboflavin (7%) were observed. No significant changes were found for serum cobalamin or for RBC folate. There were no differences in the washout of water-soluble vitamins between treatments with low-flux and high-flux membranes. Furthermore, a 41% lower concentration in tHcy was observed. The percentage decrease in tHcy was significantly greater in the patients treated with high-flux dialysers (48% vs 37%; P < 0.01). The percentage change during dialysis was significantly inversely related to the molecular weight of the vitamins measured (r =-0.867, P < 0.01). This study showed significantly lower blood or serum levels of various water-soluble vitamins after dialysis, independently of the dialyser membrane. The monitoring of the vitamin status is essential in patients treated with high-flux dialysers as well as in patients treated with low-flux dialysers.

Water-soluble vitamin levels in the fasting patients during peripheral parenteral nutrition without addition of vitamins

Water-soluble vitamin levels in the fasting patients during peripheral parenteral nutrition without addition of vitamins

Clinical Examination of the Water-Soluble Vitamin Levels in Blood during Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition

The water-soluble vitamin (included vitamin B1, B6, B12 and C) preparations are not always replenished when peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) is used in Japan. We evaluated the need for administration of vitamins preparation during PPN, and involved analysis of the blood levels of water-soluble vitamins in patients receiving perioperative PPN before and after gastrectomy. Patients were examined as two set of groups as follows; 18 patients who did not receive water-soluble vitamin preparations during PPN, the Unsupplemented Group, and 22 patients who received such preparations during PPN, the Supplemented Group. Consequently, in the Unsupplemented Group, the blood vitamin B1 level during the early postoperative period was significantly lower than the preoperative level, but in the Supplemented Group, it was significantly higher than the preoperative level. In the Supplemented Group, the blood vitamin B12 level during the early postoperative period was markedly higher than the preoperative level. And in both groups, the blood vitamin C level remained below the lower limit of the criterion range throughout the perioperative period. These results suggested that administration of water-soluble vitamins during PPN was needed to avoid potential vitamin deficiencies after surgery and to prevent a potential onset of severe metabolic complications from any deficiencies.

Values of Water-Soluble Vitamins in Blood and Urine of Japanese Young Men and Women Consuming a Semi-Purified Diet Based on the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes

We investigated the levels of water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin B6 in the blood and urine of Japanese college male (n = 10) and female (n = 10) students. They consumed for 7 d a semi-purified diet based on Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes to assess the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for water-soluble vitamins and to present some new normal values for blood and urine levels of water-soluble vitamins in Japanese. The blood and the 24-h urine samples were collected on the last day of the experiment and measured. The values of total vitamin B1 in whole blood, total vitamin B2 in whole blood, total cyanocobalamin in serum, total nicotinamide in whole blood, total pantothenic acid in whole blood, total folates in serum, total biotin in serum, and ascorbic acid in plasma were 104+/-17 pmol/mL (mean+/-SD), 216+/-25 pmol/mL, 0.34+/-0.05 pmol/mL, 59.1+/- 5.0 nmol/ mL, 2.45+/-0.37 nmol/mL, 15.6+/-4.6 pmol/mL, 8.3+/-0.5 pmol/mL, and 62+/-10 nmol/mL, respectively, in males, and 90+/-23, 234+/-18, 0.67+/-0.20, 61.9+/-6.0, 2.48+/-0.30, 30.2+/-8.6, 8.4+/-0.3, and 67+/-14, respectively, in females. There was a significant difference in the values of cyanocobalamin and total folates between men and women. The urinary excretion of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, cyanocobalamin, sum of the catabolic metabolites of nicotinamide, pantothenic acid, folates, biotin, and ascorbic acid were 665+/-114 nmol/d, 562+/-325 nmol/d, 93+/-31 pmol/d, 84+/-26 micromol/d, 9.3+/-2.3 micromol/d, 19.4+/-2.8 nmol/d, 83+/-18 pmol/d, and 148+/-51 micromol/d, respectively, in males, and 495+/-212, 580+/-146, 145+/-49, 83+/-19, 16.9+/-1.3, 22.7+/-2.7, 83+/-23, and 140+/-51, respectively, in females. There was a significant difference in the urinary excretion of cyanocobalamin, pantothenic acid and total folates between men and women. These values will be useful for the nutritional assessment of water-soluble vitamins for Japanese, although the examination period was short. In future, an experiment with various age groups and re-evaluation by repeated experiments will provide more accurate values.

The impact of quotidian hemodialysis on nutrition

Background: Malnutrition is a common problem in hemodialysis (HD) patients and one of the most important factors influencing morbidity and mortality. More frequent HD has been shown to improve nutritional status in HD patients. Methods: The London Daily/Nocturnal Hemodialysis Study compared the nutritional status of patients receiving quotidian HD, either short daily HD (n = 11) or long nocturnal HD (n = 12), with that of 22 matched control patients receiving conventional thrice-weekly HD. A number of biochemical parameters indicative of nutritional status were measured, including protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance (nPNA), serum albumin, serum prealbumin, dietary calcium, serum lipids, and water-soluble vitamin levels. Results: nPNA tended to increase throughout the study for both quotidian HD groups and remained unchanged in the control group, which had the lowest values (1 to 1.1 g/kg/d). Daily HD patients showed a significant increase in mean serum albumin levels at 3, 12, and 18 months. The nocturnal HD group showed a significant decrease in albumin levels at month 9, and control patients maintained relatively stable albumin levels throughout the study. Serum prealbumin levels averaged 0.04 g/dL for daily HD patients, whereas serum prealbumin levels decreased in nocturnal HD patients during the study period. Half the nocturnal HD patients had vitamin C levels lower than the reference range. Body composition data showed increased arm muscle area and maintenance of 100% to 110% of relative body weight (RBW) after several months of daily HD, whereas patients on nocturnal HD therapy showed a significant decline in RBW. There were no significant differences in lean body mass, percentage of body fat, or body mass index among the 3 study groups. Conclusion: Increased nPNA, serum albumin levels, and arm muscle area suggest that daily HD patients experienced improved nutritional status.

Concentration of Selected Vitamins in Infant Milks Available in Spain

ABSTRACT: Vitamins A, E, and those of the B complex were determined in 59 standard and 11 specialized infant milks from the Spanish market. Water‐soluble vitamin levels were lower than those declared by manufacturers in 50% of the standard infant milk products. Vitamin A ranged from 58.8 μg/100mL to 170.9 μ/100mL and vitamin E from 0.8 mg/100mL to 3.3 mg/100ml. Most of the samples had a higher vitamin A content than that stated by the manufacturer, and 13% and 42% of them exceeded the Spanish legislation and the ESPGAN recommendation levels respectively. Vitamin E levels were between 2 and 10 times higher than the minimum established by these organizations and in general were over the declared level.

Serum levels assessment of vitamin A, E, C, B2and carotenoids in malnourished and non-malnourished hospitalized elderly patients

Aims & methods: Serum levels of vitamins A, E, C, B2and carotenoids were determined in protein-energy malnourished (PEM, with body mass index, BMI<18.5 kg/m2) and non-PEM (BMI±18.5 kg/m2) hospitalized elderly (age ≥ 65 years) patients, in the University Hospital of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo University.Results: PEM (n=21) and non-PEM (n=106) patients were paired for age (73.6±7.3 vs. 71.6±5.6 years) and male percentage (65.1 vs. 52.4%). As expected, PEM elderly showed lower (P<0.05) body weight (median 43.1; range: 29.9–51.4 vs. 58.1; range: 45.7–143.5 kg), triceps skinfold (5.2±3.1 vs. 10.1±4.9 mm), and mid-arm muscle circumference (20.3±2.5 vs. 23.1±3.4 cm). Serum albumin (4.0±0.9 vs. 4.1±0.7 g/dl) and total lymphocytes count (1918.3±919 vs. 1842.7±862 mm3) were similar, respectively, among PEM and non-PEM patients. The percentage of biochemical riboflavin deficiency (58.8 vs. 56.2), low serum levels of vitamin A (28.6 vs. 29.6) and vitamin E (18.7 vs. 25) were similar, respectively, between PEM and non-PEM groups. The prevalence of low serum levels of water soluble vitamins was higher (P<0.01) in malnourished elderly than in the non-PEM group (ascorbic acid, 80.9 vs. 56.7%, and carotenoids, 14.3 vs. 3%, respectively).Conclusions: These results suggest that hospitalized malnourished elderly show high percentage of low water soluble vitamin serum levels, a phenomenon possibly linked to decreased food intake, especially fruits and vegetables.

Water-soluble vitamin levels in patients undergoing high-flux hemodialysis and receiving long-term oral postdialysis vitamin supplementation.

The prescription of multivitamin supplements for dialysis patients is routine practice, but the doses prescribed differ greatly from one dialysis center to another. Few data are available concerning long-term vitamin supplementation and its effects on patients either on high-flux hemodialysis or receiving postdialysis supplementation. For several years, we have systematically prescribed to our patients an oral postdialysis multivitamin supplement containing thiamine hydrochloride 100 mg, riboflavin 20 mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride 50 mg, folic acid 6 mg, and ascorbic acid 500 mg. The aim of this study was to perform a cross-sectional long-term evaluation of the vitamin levels in patients who received this vitamin supplement for at least 12 months. We also were interested in investigating the plasma oxalic acid and total homocysteine levels associated with the long-term prescription of these vitamin supplements. Thirty-three patients on high-flux dialysis were studied. Vitamin levels and/or vitamin-dependent enzymatic activities were within the normal range (N) in all patients. The mean results (+/-SD) were plasma ascorbic acid 13.6 +/- 6.4 mg/L (N > 4), plasma folate 14.1 +/- 1.1 microg/L (N > 3), for vitamin B1, alpha-ETK 1.02 +/- 0.02 (N < 1.18) and ETKo 100 +/- 13 U/L (N > 70), for vitamin B2, alpha-EGR 1.00 +/- 0.07 (N < 1.52) and EGRo 1282 +/- 213 U/L (N > 672), and for vitamin B6, alpha-EGOT 1.34 +/- 0.10 (N < 1.8) and EGOTo 380 +/- 84 U/L (N > 228). Plasma oxalic acid was higher than normal in all patients (mean = 61 +/- 15 micromol/L, N < 33). However, all patients had oxalic acid levels within the range reported in the literature for patients not taking extra ascorbic acid. Mean total homocysteine was 24 +/- 8 micromol/L with only 4 patients (12%) having normal levels (N < 15). In conclusion, the postdialysis supplement given provides adequate vitamin levels in almost all patients in the long term. Postdialysis prescription allows an optimal compliance with the treatment, is well accepted by the patients, and is cost-effective.

Water-soluble vitamins in natural plankton (copepods) during two consecutive spring blooms compared to vitamins in Artemia franciscana nauplii and metanauplii

Weight-specific contents of asorbic acid, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, biotin, folate and vitamin B12 were analysed in natural zooplankton collected from a sea water lagoon in a halibut fry production plant. The samples of natural zooplankton were collected from April/May to the end of June during two consecutive spring blooms. For comparison, the same vitamins were measured in nauplii of Artemia franciscana, just after hatching and after enrichment for 24 and 48 h with a commercial diet. The changes in vitamin content in zooplankton, which consisted mainly of Temora longicornis, during the two spring blooms were <2.5-fold for each specific vitamin. The large number of high quality halibut fry produced using the plankton as a dietary source suggests that the plankton contained sufficient amounts of all water-soluble vitamins. With the exception of thiamin and ascorbic acid, Artemia– both newly hatched and enriched for 24 and 48 h – contained higher levels of water-soluble vitamins than natural zooplankton. Enrichment feeding of Artemia for 48 h stabilised or increased the level of the water-soluble vitamins.

Stability of vitamins during the storage of liquid infant milks.

The stability of the water-soluble B vitamins and the fat-soluble vitamins A and E of three liquid infant milks was followed throughout 12 months of storage at 20, 30 and 37 degrees C. Two samples were 'follow-on' milks from two different manufacturers and the other a 'junior' milk from one of these. The levels of water-soluble vitamins and vitamin E remained constant during storage at the three temperatures. In contrast, vitamin A decreased in samples from one manufacturer at all storage temperatures, and in samples from the other only at 37 degrees C. A kinetic equation was derived that made it possible to predict the influence of storage temperature on the shelf life of these kinds of products, together with the storage period during which levels of vitamin A recommended as adequate would remain.

The vitamin status and its adequacy in the elderly: an international overview.

Age-related changes in nutrition can affect the nutritional status of the elderly in a number of ways. Food intake is affected by socio-economic, physiological and pathological factors. The major physiological age-related change is the decrease in the energy requirement due to a reduction in lean body mass and a reduction in physical activity leading to a compensatory decrease in macro- and micronutrient intake of approximately 30% by the age of 80 years. Morbidity and some types of medication, smoking and alcohol consumption also affect the absorption and metabolism of vitamins. The plasma levels of fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids tend to increase with age with the exception of vitamin D, while certain water-soluble vitamin levels decrease, particularly vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Many epidemiological studies have examined the vitamin intake and the plasma concentrations of large elderly populations in many regions of the world, but few have specifically determined the incidence of vitamin deficiencies. The criteria for defining deficiency varies between studies making it difficult to compare data from different studies. In the SENECA Study on European elderly evidence for biochemical vitamin deficiency was found in 47% for vitamin D, 23.3% for vitamin B6, 2.7% for vitamin B12 and 1.1% for vitamin E.

Blood Levels of Water‐Soluble Vitamins in Pediatric Patients on Total Parenteral Nutrition Using a Multiple Vitamin Preparation

Although guidelines for the parenteral use of vitamin preparations in pediatric patients have been published, there are very limited data on the efficiency of these preparations and on the exact needs of infants and children on total parenteral nutrition (TPN). We report here an open, prospective, study of the blood levels of water-soluble vitamins in infants and children on TPN before and during supplementation with a new water-soluble multivitamin formula containing per vial unit: B1, 3 mg; B2, 3.6 mg; B6, 4 mg; niacin, 40 mg; pantothenate, 15 mg; ascorbate, 100 mg; biotin, 60 micrograms; folic acid, 400 micrograms; B12, 5 micrograms. Thirteen children, 9 months to 15 yr old, on home TPN for 1.5 months to 7 yr, and 17 hospitalized infants and children, 1 week to 15 yr old, receiving TPN were studied for 2 weeks to 4 months. Daily doses were given according to age: 1/2 vial if less than 18 months; 1 vial if greater than 18 months and less than 10 years; 1.5 vials if greater than 10 years. Assays for B1, B2, biotin, niacin, plasma and red blood cell (RBC) folates were performed by microbiologic methods, B12 was measured by radioimmunoassay. During the study, B1 levels were consistently above the upper limit of the normal range, B2 and B12 remained in the normal range although there was a slight decrease in B12 values. Almost half of the patients had initially low levels of biotin, niacin, and folates. Biotin, after a significant sharp rise during the first month of supplementation returned to normal range. Niacin levels were initially low in infants and rose toward normal values during treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation of a Pediatric Multiple Vitamin Preparation for Total Parenteral Nutrition in Infants and Children I. Blood Levels of Water-Soluble Vitamins

This study represents the first attempt to evaluate the response to the only intravenous vitamin preparation (MVI Pediatric) for infants and children receiving total parenteral nutrition. Eighteen preterm infants (group 1), 26 term infants and children receiving total parenteral nutrition for 2 to 4 weeks (group 2A), and eight infants and children receiving total parenteral nutrition for 3 to 6 months (group 2B) were studied. Term gestation infants and children up to 11 years of age received daily vitamin doses that approximated the 1974 Recommended Dietary Allowances and coincided with the 1975 American Medical Association Nutrition Advisory Group total parenteral nutrition dosage guidelines for children weighing more than 10 kg. Preterm infants received 65% of these dosages. RBC transketolase (vitamin B1), glutathione reductase (B2), and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (B6) activities were maintained at normal levels, and niacin levels were maintained within the reference range (7.1 +/- 0.32 micrograms/mL) in all study patients. Pantothenate, biotin, and ascorbate were maintained at reference levels in groups 2A and 2B. In group 1, ascorbic acid was increased significantly during treatment from 1.53 +/- 0.16 to 3.60 by seven days and to 2.54 +/- 0.62 by day 28 of treatment (reference normals = 0.99 +/- 0.1 mg/dL). RBC folate was maintained within the reference range of 411 +/- 76 pg/mL; however, pantothenate and biotin levels increased significantly to more than 2 SD above reference values during treatment, and vitamin B12 levels, which were above the reference range initially, were maintained at more than 2 SD above the reference range throughout treatment. The elevation in vitamin B12 was seen in both group 1 and 2 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Levels of water-soluble vitamins in methanogenic and non-methanogenic bacteria.

The levels of seven water-soluble vitamins in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, Methanococcus voltae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron were compared by using a vitamin-requiring Leuconostoc strain. Both methanogens contained levels of folic acid and pantothenic acid which were approximately two orders of magnitude lower than levels in the nonmethanogens. Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum contained levels of thiamine, biotin, nicotinic acid, and pyridoxine which were approximately one order of magnitude lower than levels in the nonmethanogens. The thiamine level in Methanococcus voltae was approximately one order of magnitude lower than levels in the nonmethanogens. Only the levels of riboflavin (and nicotinic acid and pyridoxine in Methanococcus voltae) were approximately equal in the methanogens and nonmethanogens. Folic acid may have been present in extracts of methanogens merely as a precursor, by-product, or hydrolysis product of methanopterin.

Effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on the levels of several water-soluble vitamins in tissues of germ-free and conventional rats.

The influence of vitamin B6 deficiency on the levels of several water-soluble vitamins and on acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity was investigated using of germ-free and conventional rats. Judging from the vitamin B6 levels in tissues and the percent of decrease, the degree of vitamin B6 deficiency was more severe in the tissues of deficient germ-free rats than in deficient conventional rats. Nicotine acid, pantothenic acid and biotin levels per wet weight significantly decreased in the liver of vitaminB6-deficient germ-free rats, and nicotine acid levels per wet weight significant decreased in the liver of deficient conventional rats. In the kidney of vitamin B6-deficient germ-free rats, a significant decrease in riboflavin and biotin levels was observed, although there was no observable difference in riboflavin, nicotinic acid, biotin and patothenic acid levels in the kidney of deficient conventional rats. From an enzymatic standpoint, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity was especially significantly decreased in both germ-free and conventional rats fed a vitamin B6-deficient diet, and the percent od decrease was more in germ-free rats than in conventional ones. These findings suggest that vitamin B6 deficiency had stronger effects on the levels of water-soluble vitamins in germ-free rats compared with conventional rats.