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Holo-transcobalamin is an early marker of changes in cobalamin homeostasis. A randomized placebo-controlled study. BACKGROUND: We examined the effect of oral vitamin B(12) treatment on fluctuations in plasma total cobalamin and its binding proteins transcobalamin (TC) and haptocorrin (HC). METHODS: Patients (n = 88; age range, 38-80 years) undergoing coronary angiography (part of the homocysteine-lowering Western Norway B-Vitamin Intervention Trial) were allocated to daily oral treatment with (a) vitamin B(12) (0.4 mg), folic acid (0.8 mg), and vitamin B(6) (40 mg); (b) vitamin B(12) and folic acid; (c) vitamin B(6); or (d) placebo. EDTA blood was obtained before treatment and 3, 14, 28, and 84 days thereafter. RESULTS: The intraindividual variation for patients not treated with B(12) was approximately 10% for plasma total cobalamin, total TC, apo-TC, and apo-HC, and <20% for holo-TC and TC saturation. In B(12)-treated patients, the maximum change in concentrations was observed already after 3 days for total TC (-16%), holo-TC (+54%), and TC saturation (+82%). At this time holo-HC (+20%) and plasma total cobalamin (+28%) showed an initial burst, but had increased further at 84 days. All changes were highly significant compared with the control group (P <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Oral vitamin B(12) treatment produces maximal effects on total TC, holo-TC, and TC saturation within 3 days, whereas maximal increases in holo-HC and plasma total cobalamin occur later. The results support the view that holo-TC is an early marker of changes in cobalamin homeostasis. |
NewsComing Soon ! The full video recording of the Euromedlab 2007 Active B12 workshop will be available in the next few weeks, register for your copy.
Live CME Web Conference on vitamin B12 deficiency, Prof. Ralph Green, Dec 13th 2007, register now. Meetings
8-11 December, 2007 |
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