BLOOD VITAMIN STATUS (B1, B2, B6, FOLIC-ACID AND B-12) IN PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOLIC LIVER-DISEASE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (3) , 266-271
Abstract
Blood vitamin status was assessed in 41 patients (M [male] = 39; F [female] = 2) with alcoholic liver disease. Biochemical evidence of thiamin deficiency was observed in all groups of patients. Deficiency of riboflavin was detected in patients with histologically normal liver, but not in other groups. All the groups were deficient in pyridoxal-5-phosphate, the active form of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Serum folate was decreased in all groups except in those with alcoholic hepatitis: red cell folate was within normal limits in all the groups. Vitamin B12 levels were within normal limits in all groups except the cirrhotic one in which it was raised. Clinico-biochemical implications of the findings are discussed. Biochemical changes in blood vitamin status may precede clinical manifestations of a disease process and may have prognostic value.

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