The B-vitamins in malnutrition with alcoholism

Abstract

The B-vitamin status of 59 patients, mainly from the lower socio-economic classes in Bombay, with a history of chronic malnutrition, and alcoholism of a 1.5-20 yr duration, was studied before and during treatment, and in relation to their clinical, especially neurological, condition. These patients were divided into 2 neurological categories: Those with peripheral neuropathy (mainly sensory and distal) alone and those with mental changes (mainly confusion and disorientation) also. Both categories frequently showed pellagrous pigmentation and mucocutaneous signs of B-vitamin deficiency. Thiamine and erythrocyte transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1) activity, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, total and pyridoxal fraction of vitamin B6, folate and total vitamin B12 were estimated in the blood and the CSF of these patients, and also in the blood 69 control subjects and in the CSF of some of them. The concentrations of all the vitamins, except vitamin B12, were significantly lower in the blood of patients of category 1 compared to the controls, and erythrocyte transketolase activity and pyridoxal concentration in patients of category 2 were significantly lower than those of category 1 patients. Blood pantothenic acid and folate concentrations were reduced less consistently. Serum vitamin B12 concentration was significantly increased (though within normal range) in the patients compared to the control group, probably because of the moderate hepatic insufficiency (as assessed by liver function tests) in the former. The concentrations of thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid and total vitamin B6 were also significantly lower in the CSF in patients of category 1 compared with controls. Thiamine, nicotinic acid and total vitamin B6 concentrations were significantly lower in patients of category 2 than those of category 1 patients, indicating that CSF levels reflect better the neurological status of these patients. There was a moderate increase in the blood concentration of all the vitamins tested, after a relatively poor hospital diet alone. There was a concurrent increase in the blood levels of thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid and pantothenic acid after parenteral treatment with either thiamine or nicotinic acid. The administration of pyridoxin resulted in a significant increase in the blood levels of riboflavin and the pyridoxal fraction of vitamin B6.