Total Vitamin B12 Research Articles

Critical Vitamin Assessment: Pyridoxal, Pyridoxamine, and Pyridoxine Levels for Three Species of Raw and Cooked Fish Samples

ABSTRACT The amount of vitamin B6 in foods is reported in the literature as the sum of the pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxamine (PM), and pyridoxine (PN) forms. The levels of the PL, PM, and PN forms of vitamin B6 are different from each other. The aim of the present study was to reveal how cooking methods affect PL, PM, and PN levels in cooked fish samples. Therefore, the widely consumed fish species European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), and Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) were cooked using grilling and baking techniques. The measurable PN amount was negligible. However, significant destruction of both PL and PM in all cooked fishes was detected. The loss in PL ranged from 54 to 97%, while the loss in PM was between 19 and 78%. The loss of PL in baked Atlantic bonito (97%) was significantly higher than in the other fish samples (p < .05). The cooking loss of total vitamin B6 in anchovy, gilthead seabream, and Atlantic bonito was 64, 55, and 85% when grilled and 61, 60, and 89% when baked, respectively.

Studies on Physicochemical and Sensory Attributes of Potatoes Stored During Winter in High-Altitude Cold Desert, Ladakh, India

This study assessed the feasibility of providing a regular supply of locally produced potatoes during landlocked winter months in Ladakh region. Potato tubers were stored (January–May) in semi-underground stores where conditions were between 0.2–13.6 °C and 87–96% relative humidity. Periodical sample analysis was carried out on sensory attributes and the physicochemical attributes firmness, sprouting, pulp temperature, total soluble solutes, sugar level, vitamin B6, dry matter, weight loss and CIPC residue level, to evaluate the quality of the stored potatoes. Pearson’s correlation analysis measured the relationship between various physicochemical attributes that helped improve understanding of potato variability. CIPC residue concentration was within the recommended limit of 30 mg/kg tuber in peeled and unpeeled tubers ranging from 0.02 to 0.12 mg/kg and 0.04 to 3.90 mg/kg, respectively. Tubers stored during extreme winter conditions showed the highest level of total sugar 927 ± 8.54 mg/100 g after 5 months of storage. Vitamin B6 was 0.276 mg/100 g in CIPC treated potato and 0.190 mg/100 g in non-treated potato which is approximately 15% of recommended daily vitamin B6 intake. Based on the results of this study, potatoes stored in zero energy–based semi-underground stores were in good quality after a period of 5 months and suitable for consumption.

Impact of thermal processing methods on the composition and content of 4'-O-methylpyridoxine analogues in Ginkgo biloba seeds

This study investigated the effect of thermal processing methods, namely, boiling, microwaving, baking, and frying, on the 4'-O-methylpyridoxine (MPN) analogues of Gingko biloba seeds. All thermal processing methods decreased MPN, pyridoxine, and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, total MPN (TMPN), and total vitamin B6 (VB6) contents but increased MPN-5'-glucoside and pyridoxamine contents. Baking and frying reduced TMPN content by 46.54%–54.67% and 46.54%–54.67%, respectively. Frying was identified as the optimal thermal processing method that maintains the VB6 compound content of G. biloba seeds at high levels (72.92%–84.62%). Principal component analysis revealed the different effects of thermal processing methods on MPN analogues in G. biloba seeds. The results of this study demonstrate that compared with other thermal processing methods, frying can better reduce the toxic compound content (TMPN) of G. biloba seeds and promote VB6 retention.

Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy of Active B12 (Holotranscobalamin) and Total Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) and Verification of Active B12 Test

Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy of Active B12 (Holotranscobalamin) and Total Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) and Verification of Active B12 Test

Pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxine cooking loss: Characterizing vitamin B 6 profiles of chicken meats before and after cooking

In the literature, the level of vitamin B6 in foods is given as sum of the pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxamine (PM), and pyridoxine (PN) forms. There is little information on vitamin B6 profiles in raw and cooked chickens. Since the levels of PL, PM, and PN forms of vitamin B6 are different in chickens, knowing the amount of these forms is essential after cooking. The PL, PM, PN, and total vitamin B6 concentrations in chickens were determined by HPLC. The cooking loss of total vitamin B6 was ranged between 55% and 89%, and the values were significantly higher than those reported previously. The PL and PM losses in chickens were ranged from 50% to 92% and from 70% to 96%, respectively. The PN was found to be negligible. This is the first report on the cooking loss of vitamin B6 vitamers in chicken meats commonly consumed in Turkey. Practical applications The present study aimed to reveal the potential vitamin B6 losses in chickens due to the widely used cooking methods. As a useful practical application for the food industry, this obtained results can be successfully integrated on the packages' surface, which can be easily seen from the consumers. Thus, the consumers can cook the foods depending on this cooking conditions and methods, especially at home. The loss of pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxine can be effectively protected by these practices at home and in the industrial applications.

The impact of folate and vitamin B12 status on cognitive function and brain atrophy in healthy elderly and demented Austrians, a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Dementia, and in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is a debilitating progressive disease with high prevalence in our society. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency are potential modifiable risk factors. However, previous studies reported inconsistent results.Results: The average concentrations of all biochemical markers were within the respective reference ranges. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses did not reveal significant associations between biochemical markers and cognitive function, global or regional brain volume, cortical thickness or cortical surface area, neither in controls nor in AD patients.Conclusions: Variations of direct and indirect markers of B12 and folate status are not associated with cognitive dysfunction and brain atrophy.Methods: This retrospective study explored the association between biochemical markers of B12 and folate status, cognitive function and MRI-based brain atrophy in cognitive normal elderly (controls) and AD patients. Folate, total and active vitamin B12 and MMA were measured in blood samples from 378 controls and 217 AD patients. Neuropsychiatric tests capturing memory, executive function and visuopractical skills were performed in all participants. Brain atrophy was assessed by MRI in 155 controls and 217 AD patients. In a subset of participants cognitive testing (n=234) and MRI (n=182) was repeated after an average median between 1.25 and 6.25 years.

Simultaneous Determination of Total Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B6 in Infant Formula and Related Nutritionals by Enzymatic Digestion and LC-MS/MS-A Multi-Laboratory Testing Study Final Action: AOAC Method 2015.14.

A multi-laboratory study was completed for AOAC First Action Method 2015.14. Ten laboratories from eight countries participated. Each laboratory analyzed (in duplicate) a placebo and 14 fortified nutritionals. Product matrices analyzed included milk, soy, partially hydrolyzed milk, partially hydrolyzed soy, and elemental-based infant formula powders, milk based infant formula ready-to-feed liquids, adult low-fat powders, and adult high fat and high protein ready-to-drink nutritionals. Data was then compared to standard method performance requirements (SMPR). Samples were prepared by enzymatic digestion with papain, α-amylase, and phosphatase to hydrolyze protein and complex carbohydrate and to free phosphorylated vitamin forms respectively. Stable-isotope labeled internal standards were incorporated into the sample preparation to correct for variability in both the sample preparation and instrument response. Prepared samples and working standard solutions were injected onto an ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatograph, interfaced to a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer (MS/MS). Reverse phase gradient chromatography, using mobile phases of methanol and 20 mM ammonium formate in water on a C-18 column, were used for the analysis. The MS/MS was configured to monitor precursor-fragment ion pairs for each analyte and internal standard. Vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), and B6 (pyridoxine) were quantified by least squares regression using the response ratio of the analyte to its internal standard. Total vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B6 had average repeatability of 2.3%, 3.9%, 2.7%, and 2.2% RSD, and reproducibility of 8.2%, 6.9%, 6.7%, and 5.8% RSD, respectively. Repeatability and reproducibility SMPR were met for 53/56 and 50/56 fortified-product/analyte pairs analyzed, respectively.

Nutrient and food group intakes and skeletal muscle index in the Japanese elderly: a cross-sectional analysis of the NHNS 2017.

To examine nutrient and food intakes according to the levels of skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) in the elderly. Cross-sectional study. Data were derived from the 2017 National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan. SMI was calculated by dividing appendicular skeletal muscle (or lean) mass (kg) by height squared (m2). We calculated the multivariable-adjusted means of individuals' dietary intake. Dietary intake of energy, nutrients and food categories was assessed by examining dietary records using a semi-weighed method and compared according to the sex-specific quartiles of SMI. Men and women aged ≥60 years. Among 797 men and 969 women, individuals with a higher SMI consumed more energy and more nutrients than did those with a lower SMI after adjusting for age, lifestyle and physical activity factors. After further adjusting for energy intake, total dietary fibre, vitamin A, vitamin B6, K, Fe and Cu were positively associated with higher SMI in men (Pfor trend < 0·05). For food categories, men with a higher SMI consumed more vegetables and meats, but the associations were attenuated after adjustment for energy and remained significant for vegetable only (Pfor trend = 0·018). Japanese elderly people with a higher SMI consumed more energy and nutrients and more vegetables than did those with a lower SMI. This finding shows that diet is important in preventing muscle loss among the elderly in an ageing society.

Vitamin B-12 Biomarkers Reviewed: Holotranscobalamin Allows Identification of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Children with Short-Bowel Syndrome

Abstract Objectives Serum total vitamin B12 (tB12) is the most commonly used biomarker to assess B12 status in healthy and patient populations but there is ambiguity as to its performance for early and reliable B12 deficiency diagnosis. Holotranscobalamin (holoTC) is the B12 form taken up by cells and may be a more sensitive B12 indicator. This descriptive, prospective study aimed to compare serum tB12 with serum holoTC concentration in their ability to detect functional B12 deficiency defined as elevated methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentration in a pediatric population at risk of B12 deficiency. Methods A total of 26 infants and children aged 3 mo-15 yrs with a history of ileal resection were recruited from the Children's Intestinal Rehabilitation Program at the British Columbia Children's Hospital, Canada. Between 1 to 7 samples per patient were collected over 2yrs, with complete biomarker data for 41 samples. Clinical, anthropometric and dietary data were also collected. Age-specific reference limits derived from a healthy pediatric reference sample were used as cut-offs to categorize B12 deficiency. Results Of the 41 samples, 29 (71%) had concordant biomarker results all indicating adequate B12 status. Elevated MMA (&amp;gt;398 nmol/L) was found in only 2 samples and those had holoTC concentration indicative of B12 deficiency (&amp;lt;40 pmol/L) but normal tB12 (&amp;gt;209 pmol/L). While holoTC exceeded tB12 in sensitivity for the detection of functional B12 deficiency, holoTC had reduced specificity, 75% compared to 85% for tB12, leading to a reduced positive predictive value (22%). Patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) had significantly higher tB12 but similar holoTC concentration compared to those not receiving TPN. Conclusions Overall, the results suggest that serum holoTC detects patients with elevated MMA indicative of B12 deficiency, who are not identified by tB12 concentration, in children with short bowel syndrome. It also suggests that the current cut-off for tB12 may be too low. These descriptive findings warrant further evaluation and validation of B12 biomarkers and related cutoffs for adequate, suboptimal and deficient B12 status. Funding Sources Healthy Starts Catalyst Grant from the British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver BC, Canada.

One‐carbon metabolism‐related micronutrients intake and risk for hepatocellular carcinoma: A prospective cohort study

Deficient intake of micronutrients involved in one-carbon metabolism (eg, choline, methionine, vitamin B12 and folic acid) leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in rodents, but is under-investigated in humans. We investigated the association between one-carbon metabolism-related micronutrient intake and HCC risk in a prospective cohort of 494 860 participants with 16 years of follow-up in the NIH-AARP study. Dietary intakes and supplement use were ascertained at baseline using a food-frequency questionnaire. Total intake (diet plus supplements) of the following one-carbon metabolism-related micronutrients were calculated: folate, methionine and vitamins B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 and B12 . These micronutrients were examined both individually and simultaneously, with adjustment for covariates. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Over the 16-year follow-up period, 647 incident HCC cases were diagnosed. When examined individually, higher total vitamin B3 intake was associated with a lower HCC risk (HRQ5 vs Q1 = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.42-0.85; Ptrend = .008), and the association remained significant when all six micronutrients were examined simultaneously (HRQ5 vs Q1 = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.18-0.55; Ptrend < .0001). Among participants with >3 years of follow-up, higher total vitamin B3 intake was again associated with lower risk (HRQ5 vs Q1 = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.20-0.68; Ptrend = .001), whereas higher total vitamin B6 intake was associated with higher risk (HRQ5 vs Q1 = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.02-4.07; Ptrend = .04). Restricted cubic spline analyses showed a dose-response inverse association between total vitamin B3 intake and HCC risk, and dose-response positive association between total vitamin B6 intake and HCC risk. The study suggests that higher vitamin B3 intake is associated with lower HCC risk, whereas higher vitamin B6 intake is associated with increased risk.

Physical Activity, Nutritional Status, and Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Healthy Young Adults with Higher Levels of Depressive Symptoms and Matched Controls without Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of the present study was to comprehensively investigate physical activity (PA), nutritional status, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in healthy young adults with higher levels of depressive symptoms and in sex- and age-matched controls without depressive symptoms. We recruited 35 healthy young adults with higher levels of depressive symptoms (DEP group) and 35 controls (CON group). Measurement items were daily number of steps, the duration and amount of PA ≥3 metabolic equivalents (METs), exercise habits, the consumption of tryptophan (TRP) and/or vitamin B6-rich foods, plasma levels of total TRP and vitamin B6 levels, and ANS activity. The DEP group had fewer daily steps, as well as duration and amount of PA ≥3 METs, than the CON group, while there was no difference in exercise habits. The intake frequency of TRP and/or vitamin B6-rich foods and plasma vitamin B6 levels of the DEP group were rather higher than those in the control group. Plasma TRP levels and ANS activity were comparable in the two groups. Our findings suggest that a decline in overall PA, including daily steps as well as duration and amount of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA, could be associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms in healthy young adults. Their dietary intake of TRP and/or vitamin B6-rich foods was adequate, and there was no ANS activity dysfunction.

The development of a short food frequency questionnaire to assess diet quality in UK adolescents

AbstractUK adolescents have poorer diets than other age groups. Improving adolescents’ diets has the potential to improve their health now and in later life, and the health of their future offspring. Established dietary assessment techniques can be difficult to use with adolescents due to high participant burdens. Robust and easy-to-implement techniques are required to assess adolescent diet in large-scale studies. This study aimed to identify the key indicator foods that contribute most to better quality dietary patterns in UK adolescents for use in a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).Dietary data, collected using 4-day diet diaries, and nutritional biomarker data from waves 1–8 of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme were used. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to 139 food groups to identify the key indicator foods that contribute most to better quality dietary patterns.A 20-group diet score was calculated using coefficients for the 20 indicator foods from the 139-group PCA and multiplying by their standardised reported frequency of consumption. Scores were standardised to a mean of zero and a standard deviation (SD) of one.The association and the agreement between the 139-group diet quality score and 20-group score were calculated using Spearman's correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman limits of agreement, respectively. Spearman's correlations were used to examine the associations between the two diet quality scores and nutritional biomarkers.NDNS dietary data were available for 1282 boys and 1305 girls aged 11–18 years. The first PCA component explained 3.0% of variance in the dietary data. A high-quality diet was characterised by greater consumption of fruit, vegetables, beans and pulses, wholegrains, nuts, and tap water, plus lower consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, chips, processed meats, white bread, crisps, whole milk, baked beans, and added sugar.A correlation of 0.86 was observed between the full 139-group score and the 20-group score with the difference between being 0 SDs. Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement were -0.98 to 0.98 SDs. Correlations, in the expected direction, were seen between the 139-group score and all nutritional biomarkers (25-hydroxyvitamin D(rs = 0.14), vitamin C(rs = 0.30), total carotenoids(rs = 0.25), total serum folate(rs = 0.42), homocysteine(rs = -0.25) and vitamin B12(rs = 0.21)). Correlations with the 20-group score were only slightly attenuated.The 20-group diet quality score showed reasonable agreement with the full 139-item score. Both scores were correlated with nutritional biomarkers. A short 20-item FFQ can provide a meaningful and easy-to-implement tool to assess diet quality in adolescents.

Evaluating the correlation between serum vitamin B12 levels and various haematologic indices among metformin-treated type 2 diabetic patients: A prospective analytical study

Background: Metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency state or metformin-induced hypocobalaminemia is gradually becoming an epidemic among diabetic patients on moderate-to-high doses of metformin or those diabetic patients on metformin for a long period of time. The potential effect of chronic metformin pharmacotherapy to cause vitamin B12 deficiency with abnormalities in haematologic indices and central/peripheral neuropathy has been widely reported. Long-term usage of metformin has been reported to be associated with intestinal malabsorption of vitamin B12 culminating in vitamin B12 deficiency with likely associated haematologic abnormalities (including macro-ovalocytic anaemia and immune dysfunctioning due to hypersegmentation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes), central/peripheral neuropathy and manifestation of biochemical derangements such as elevated homocysteine and methyl malonate levels. Aim: This study aimed to determine the correlation between serum vitamin B12 levels and various haematologic indices among metformin-treated type 2 diabetic patients in a clinical practice setting with the rational purpose of alleviating/preventing the associated derangements. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control, prospective, analytical, observational study of 200 adult participants (100 per group) attending the Endocrinology Out-patients Clinic of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. For each participant, serum vitamin B12 level was determined using a vitamin B12 immunoassay technique, while the corresponding complete blood count was done using PCE-210N autohaematology analyser. Data were presented using tables and figures. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables, Student t-test was used in comparing means of continuous variables, while Pearson’s correlation study was done to determine the existence of any statistically significant correlation(s) between the serum vitamin B12 levels and various haematologic indices among the participants. Results: Approximately 41% versus 20% of the metformin-treated and metformin-naive diabetic patients, respectively, had frank vitamin B12 deficiency. There was a statistical difference between the total serum vitamin B12 levels in male and female diabetic patients with p = 0.048. Also, statistically significant differences existed with respect to mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin and total white blood cells count among the metformin-treated and metformin-naive diabetic patients. Furthermore, a statistically significant weak positive correlation existed between pack cell volume (PCV) and serum vitamin B12 level ( r = +0.148, p = 0.037), but a statistically significant weak negative correlation existed between MCV and serum vitamin B12 level ( r = −0.245, p = 0.0001). In addition, the test for associations between the serum vitamin B12 categorization status or metformin exposure status and the peripheral neuropathy components assessment revealed that there were statistically significant associations between the serum vitamin B12 categorization status or metformin exposure status versus pain sense ( p &lt; 0.0001 or &lt;0.001), vibration sense ( p &lt; 0.0001 or &lt;0.001) and light touch sense ( p &lt; 0.0001 or &lt;0.001) among the participants. Conclusion: In this study, statistically significant weak positive and weak negative correlations existed between serum vitamin B12 level versus PCV, and serum vitamin B12 level versus MCV, respectively. The peripheral neuropathy components assessment revealed that there were statistically significant associations between the serum vitamin B12 categorization status or metformin exposure status versus pain sense, vibration sense and light touch sense among the participants.

Impact of food-bound malabsorption on vitamin B12 status in older adults from the TUDA Ageing Cohort Study: preliminary findings

AbstractVitamin B12 deficiency is common among older adults, even with dietary intakes well in excess of current recommendations. Severe clinical B12 deficiency (i.e. pernicious anaemia) leads to irreversible neurological damage, but once diagnosed, can be treated effectively with B12 injections. A much more common cause of low vitamin B12 status in older adults is food-bound malabsorption owing to atrophic gastritis. This in turn leads to reduced gastric acid secretion, thus limiting B12 absorption from food (given the essential role of gastric acid in releasing B12 from food proteins). Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs reduce gastric acid secretion, similar to atrophic gastritis, thus there is a concern that these medications may lead to vitamin B12 malabsorption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate biomarker status of vitamin B12 in relation to atrophic gastritis and PPI usage. Data were accessed from The Trinity Ulster Department of Agriculture (TUDA) Ageing Cohort Study, a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling adults (n 5186, ≥ 60 years) recruited across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (2008–2012). TUDA participants were classified into 3 groups; ‘healthy’ controls, atrophic gastritis and PPI users. Vitamin B12 status was assessed using a total of four biomarkers: serum total B12; serum holotranscobalamin, holoTC; plasma methylmalonic acid, MMA; plasma homocysteine. Atrophic gastritis was identified using pepsinogen analysis (via ELISA), with a pepsinogen I : II ratio of &lt; 3 considered indicative of atrophic gastritis. Based on results from all four biomarkers, participants with atrophic gastritis were found to have significantly lower B12 status compared to healthy controls: e.g. mean (95% CI) serum total vitamin B12, 188 (156, 218) pmol/L vs. 262 (252, 272) pmol/L P &lt; 0.001; holoTC, 46.0 (38.1, 53.8) pmol/L vs. 60.3 (57.8, 62.8) pmol/L P &lt; 0.001; plasma MMA, 0.65 (0.52, 0.78) μmol/L vs. 0.37 (0.32, 0.42) μmol/L P = 0.001. No differences in B12 biomarker concentrations were observed between PPI users and healthy controls. Regular consumption of fortified foods (i.e. ≥ 5 portions per week) compared to non-regular consumption (i.e. 0–4 portions per week) impacted positively on B12 biomarker status in all participants. This effect however appeared insufficient to restore normal vitamin B12 status in those with atrophic gastritis. These results show that older adults with atrophic gastritis have significantly lower vitamin B12 biomarker status, particularly in those who did not regularly consume fortified foods. Further investigations of the effect of atrophic gastritis and PPI usage on B12 status are warranted.

Biochemical, endocrine, and histopathological profile of liver and kidneys of sheep with pregnancy toxemia

ABSTRACT: The objective of the present study was to characterize the biochemical, hormonal, and mineral profile, and histopathology of the liver and kidneys, related to the severity of natural cases of pregnancy toxemia (PT) in sheep. A total of 45 sheep with PT were analyzed at the “Clínica de Bovinos”, Campus Garanhuns-UFRPE. The animals were submitted to clinical examination, followed by the collection of blood and urine. A necropsy was performed on thirteen animals that died and a histopathological examination was performed on samples of liver and kidneys. Increased creatinine, urea, glucose, fructosamine, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, cortisol, chlorine, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and folic acid were found, whereas insulin, potassium, and total and ionizable calcium presented low values for the species. Total protein, albumin, globulin, sodium, magnesium, and vitamin B12 remained within the normal range. In the macroscopic analysis of the liver, it was possible to observe an increase in organ and border size, yellowish coloration and parenchyma that varied from firm to friable. Vacuolation of the hepatocytes and renal tubular cells was observed. Metabolic disorders in sheep associated with hepatic and renal lesions are more apparent in overweight animals. With the greater impairment in hepatic and renal function, the clinical prognosis of animals with a high body score should be considered reserved.

Serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is described as a glucose intolerance of variable severity which begun or was firstly recognized during gravidity. Two major metabolic disorders, insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, currently play major role in pathogenesis of GDM. Our intention was to investigate total serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels in pregnant women with GDM and non-diabetic gravid women. Serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels were prospectively measured in a total of 79 pregnant women, 60 of whom were diagnosed with GDM, and 19 of whom were healthy controls. Serum homocysteine levels were analyzed by ELISA. Vitamin B12 concentrations were determined by chemiluminescent immunoassay, and lipids were determined enzymatically. GDM and control groups did not differ in terms of the serum homocysteine levels (median 7.24 vs 7.97 umol/L, respectively, p = 0.15). Nor did we find any association between serum homocysteine levels and BMI (r = 0.06, p = 0.55, respectively). There was no correlation between serum homocysteine and fasting serum glucose (r = 0.3, p = 0.8, respectively). There was no relationship between serum homocysteine concentrations and glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) levels (r = 0.06, p = 0.67, respectively). Serum vitamin B12 concentrations did not differ between the GDM and control groups (median 286 vs 262 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.17). We found that levels of Vitamin B12 correlated inversely with fasting serum glucose concentrations (r = -0.44, p = 0.0009). Vitamin B12 concentrations increased along with LDL (r = 0.27, p = 0.043) and HDL (r = 0.38, p = 0.004) levels, however were inversely correlated with serum triglycerides (r = -0.34, p = 0.009). GDM patients with low Vitamin B12 values tend to have higher fasting serum glucose and altered lipid profiles (high triglycerides, low HDL and LDL). In women with GDM, serum homocysteine levels are not associated with HbA1c level, fasting glycemia, or BMI.

Serum Total Homocysteine Level in Association with Folate and Vitamin B12 Status Among Algerian Prostate Cancer Patients

Background: Folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine are essential for methyl group metabolism and thus also for DNA methylation and metabolic disorders may lead to carcinogenesis&nbsp;metabolic disorders, which may lead to carcinogenesis. In the present study, we proposed to evaluate the associations between folate and vitamin B12, with fasting plasma tHcy concentration in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Methods: A case –control study was conducted with 40 newly patients with prostate cancer diagnosed with prostate cancer and 50 age matched healthy controls. Serum level of total homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 were measured by enzyme conversion immunoassay and radioassay, respectively using the ARCHITECT system (both Abbott–Diagnostics Division). Results: The average rate of total PSA was 20.97 ng / ml (ranged between 8- 60 ng / ml). 53% of patients had a PSA≥20ng/ml. Histology confirmed that all patients accounted for prostatic adenocarcinoma with prognostic Gleason score that ranged between 7 and 8 . There are no significant differences between cases and controls about serum Hcy levels (adjusted OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.160% CI =&nbsp;0.832-1.031), folate levels (adjusted OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.428% CI &nbsp;=&nbsp;0.977-1.008) and vitamin B12 (adjusted OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.103% CI &nbsp;=&nbsp;0.992-1.001). Conclusion: In this study, the results show that homocysteine is not involved in prostate cancer. However, this study shows that the sporadic form is much more prevalent than familial one. The diagnosis is often made too late in advanced stage with a high PSA levels and biopsy showing high levels of Gleason

Assessing Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum Holotranscobalamin (Active-B12) in Comparison with Other Markers of Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

About 15-40% India is Vitamin B12 deficient (commonly diagnosed by total Vitamin B12) but, as only holoTC (active form) is taken up by body cells, thus measuring holoTC is more reflective of Vitamin B12 status than the former. We aimed to assess diagnostic accuracy of serum holoTC in comparison with total Vitamin B12 and total Homocysteine (HCY) as indicator of serum Vitamin B12 status. 217 human subjects (99 males and 118 females) ranging from 17 to 83years were divided into Vitamin B12 deficient (n = 70), borderline (n = 100) and sufficient groups (n = 47) who were further assessed for markers of Vitamin B12 deficiency-holoTC, HCY, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Folate, heamoglobin and creatinine. Samples were analysed using Siemens Advia Centaur Xpi. Total Vitamin B12 deficient group had - 84.3% holoTC deficient; 15.7% holoTC sufficient; 72.9% with elevated HCY; 27.1% with normal HCY; 11.4% with megaloblastic anaemia. Borderline group had - 34% holoTC deficient; 28% elevated HCY. A strong positive correlation was found between Total Vitamin B12 and holoTC (r = 0.754, p = <0.001) but strong negative correlation existed between holoTC and HCY (r = - 0.471, p = <0.001). Concordance between Total Vit B12 and HCY (Kappa index = 0.51, p < 0.001); between holoTC and HCY (Kappa index = 0.52, p = <0.001) were statically significant but the latter had a better sensitivity and specificity. Also, statically significant association exists between Total Vitamin B12 and holoTC with HCY (p = <0.001). Therefore, it is ascertained that Active Vitamin B12 assay is a better test and can be considered as an early marker of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Anemia and Vitamin B12 and Folate Status in Women of Reproductive Age in Southern India (P10-101-19)

ObjectivesTo conduct a biomarker survey to examine the anemia burden and vitamin B12 and folate status in women of reproductive age as part of an ongoing periconceptional surveillance program in Southern India. MethodsParticipants were women of reproductive age (15–40 y) who were not pregnant or lactating and resided in households within the 50 km2 catchment area of our community-based research site in Southern India. Venous blood samples were collected at enrollment (n = 813), and whole blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin using an automated Coulter counter. Plasma, serum, and red blood cells (RBC) were separated by centrifugation, processed, and stored <-80°C until analysis. Total vitamin B12 was measured via chemiluminescence, and erythrocyte and serum folate concentrations were measured using the World Health Organization-recommended microbiological assay and chemiluminescence in a pilot sub-sample (n = 75) at our laboratory at St. John’s Research Institute in Bangalore, India. Anemia and severe anemia were defined as hemoglobin <12.0 g/dL and <8.0 g/dL, respectively. Vitamin B12 deficiency and insufficiency were defined as total vitamin B12 < 148.0 pmol/L and <221.0 pmol/L, respectively. Folate insufficiency was defined as RBC folate <748.0 nmol/L the recommended calibrator adjusted equivalent of the optimal neural tube defect prevention threshold. ResultsA total of 39.1% of women in the overall study population were anemic and 2.7% had severe anemia. In the biomarker sub-sample, 18.9% of women were vitamin B12 deficient and 55.4% were vitamin B12 insufficient. Average RBC folate concentration was 486 (standard deviation: 227) nmol/L and the prevalence of RBC folate insufficiency, which is below the threshold for optimal neural tube defect prevention, was 83%. ConclusionsThe substantial burden of anemia, as well as vitamin B12 and folate insufficiency in this pilot study population, suggest an opportunity for prevention of neural tube defects and anemia. Findings from the biomarker survey will inform the development of a randomized efficacy trial for the prevention of anemia and birth defects in Southern India. Funding SourcesCenters for Disease Control and PreventionILSI North America Future Leader GrantAF was supported by the National Institutes of Health #5 T32 HD087137

Vitamin B12 in HIV-Infected Patients with Insulin Resistance and Visceral Adiposity in a Randomized Trial of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone and Rosiglitazone (OR12-05-19)

ObjectivesTo 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. MethodsParticipants 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. ResultsA 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). ConclusionsThe 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 SourcesBG was supported by NIH/NCATS Grant # TL1-TR-002386; Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University.