PURPOSE: To compare the levels of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate in patients with normal-tension glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma. METHODS: Thirty-two healthy subjects, 35 patients with normal-tension glaucoma, 22 patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and 31 patients with high-tension glaucoma were included in the present study. Fasting venous samples were collected from all the participants. The levels of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate were measured. One-way analysis of variance was used for the comparison of homocysteine, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate levels among the 4 groups. RESULTS: The mean homocysteine levels in the pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma group were 17.91 +/- 5.11 and 17.60 +/- 3.89 micromol/l, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the control group (p = 0.014, p = 0.013, respectively). The mean vitamin B6 levels in the pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma group were 17.67 +/- 14.32 and 17.00 +/- 10.58 nmol/l, respectively, which were significantly lower than that of the control group (p = 0.026, p = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperhomocysteinemia may play a role as a risk factor in the development or progression of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and high-tension glaucoma.
Fasting ; Folic Acid* ; Glaucoma* ; Homocysteine* ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin B 12* ; Vitamin B 6*

This study investigated the effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profile in rats with exercise-induced oxidative stress. Forty eight rats were fed either a vitamin B6 deficient diet (B6-) or a control diet (control) for 4 weeks and then subdivided into 3 groups: pre-exercise (PreE); post-exercise (PostE); recess after exercise (recessE). Compared to those of control group, plasma catalase and hepatic cytosol superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) activities of B6- group were lower regardless of exercise. The ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) of B6- group was lower in PreE and there was no difference between PostE and recessE. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) of B6- was significantly higher in PreE and PostE. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level of B6- group was lower regardless of exercise. Atherosclerotic index of B6- group was higher in PreE and there was no difference between PostE and recessE. It is suggested that a reduction in antioxidative status caused by vitamin B6 deficiency may be aggravated under exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Animals ; Catalase ; Cytosol ; Diet ; Glutathione ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Rats ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency ; Vitamins

For the correct dietary habit and balanced dietary intake of aged people, the nutrition management that fits to the dietary behavior change stage has to be accomplished. In order to do so, in this paper, we chose 175 women that are aged more than 65 years old who are rural long life community residents and surveyed the dietary intake for 2 days including a twice depth interview and the 24 hour recall method. Also, for the sake of our aim, using the transtheoretical model, the dietary behavior change stage group was divided into the contemplation stage group, the preparation stage group, the action stage group and the maintenance stage group. The results are as follows: In the intake amount of protein (p < 0.01), vitamin B1 (p < 0.05) and vitamin B6 (p < 0.05), the intake amount of these nutrients in the action stage group and the maintenance stage group were significantly larger than the intake amount in the contemplation stage group and the preparation stage group. The nutrition evaluation according to the dietary behavior change stage, the ratio of subjects who took insufficient amount of energy, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin C were low as the dietary behavior change stage was upgraded. The subjects of maintenance stage group were most likely to consume vegetables more than once a day, and consume fruits and milk and milk products more than 5 times/week. MAR [13], MAR [10] and MAR [4] of subjects in the action stage group and the maintenance stage roup were significantly higher than MAR [13], MAR [10] and MAR [4] of subjects in the contemplation stage group and the preparation stage group (p < 0.001). From the above results, there were differences of nutrient intakes according to the dietary behavior change stage. Therefore, it is considered that the intervention for the dietary behavior motivation induction has to be advanced before accomplishing the individually fitting intervention at the time of nutrient management intervention.
Aged ; Ascorbic Acid ; Female ; Food Habits ; Fruit ; Humans ; Milk ; Motivation ; Thiamine ; Vegetables ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B 6

A prospective study of vitamin B6, B12, folate, and homocysteine levels was carried out in 7 kidney transplant(KT) recipients. The first sample for the basal level was drawn on the morning of the KT day before the start of cyclosporine injection. Thereafter, serial blood samples were taken every day until the serum creatinine level decreased below 1.5 mg/dl and then every 2 or 3days until discharge. The serum creatinine level decreased to below 1.5 mg/dl within 3days except for cases 4 and 6. The homocysteine levels decreased markedly in synchronisation with serum creatinine levels increased during the first 7days and then declined together with serum creatinine levels but went up again after a few days. The levels of B6, and vitamin B12 do not continue to decrease after the levels of serum creatinine have decreased to 1.5mg/dl, while homocysteine levels go up progressively. In conclusion, contrary to our expectation, the level of homocysteine rebounds a few days after KT following a transient decline. A deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 does not seem to cause hyperhomocysteinemia in KT recipients. It is necessary to pay attention to hyperhomocysteinemia in KT recipients, especially when the recipients have an atherosclerosis-related complication.
Creatinine ; Cyclosporine ; Folic Acid ; Homocysteine* ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Plasma* ; Prospective Studies ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamin B 6

BACKGROUND: Homocysteine is a metabolite of methionine with atherogenic properties via endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is one of main pathophysiologic mechanisms of coronary vasospasm. We examined the relationship between the risk of patients with coronary vasospasm and serum total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, vitamin B12, and plasma vitamin B6. METHODS: Fasting serum tHcy, folate, vitamin B12, and plasma vitamin B6 concentrations were measured in 25 patients (15 men, age 52.8+/-10.1) with coronary vasospasm and compared with 22 healthy control subjects matching in age and sex (10 men, age 52.7+/-9.2). Serum tHcy concentration was higher in the vasospasm group than in the control group (14.8+/-5.3 vs 10.1+/-2.5 micromol/L, p<0.001). RESULTS: Serum folate (6.3+/-1.0 vs 10.2+/-4.5 ng/mL, p<0.001) and vitamin B12 concentration (544.8+/-181.7 vs 1004.9+/-567.1 pg/mL, p<0.001) were lower in vasospasm group. There was no significant difference in plasma vitamin B6 concentration between the two groups (77.8+/-44.3 and 95.8+/-63.4 nmol/L). CONCLUSION: These data support the hypothesis that elevated serum tHcy is a risk factor for coronary vasospasm. Low folate and vitamin B12 levels in patients with coronary vasospasm suggest that these agents contribute therapeutically to the treatment of patients with coronary vasospasm.
Coronary Disease ; Coronary Vasospasm* ; Fasting ; Folic Acid ; Homocysteine* ; Humans ; Male ; Methionine ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamin B 6

Adequate vitamin B(2), vitamin B(6), folate and vitamin B(12) nutrition is known to be important for reproductive function in women of childbearing age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum vitamin B(2), vitamin B(6), folate and vitamin B(12) status and serum homocysteine levels in 115 women aged 33.2 +/- 4.0 years, who had been diagnosed with infertility, and 49 women aged 34.5 +/- 3.8 years having at least one born child. Total vitamin B(2) and vitamin B(6) intakes in infertile women were significantly lower than those in control. Serum vitamin B(2), vitamin B(6), folate and vitamin B(12) concentrations were significantly lower in infertile women than those in control and serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in infertile women than those in control. Thirteen percent in infertile women and zero percent in control were assessed as hyperhomocysteinemic and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia between infertile women and control. 41% infertile women were assessed as folate deficiency. Serum folate concentrations was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B2 intakes was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B6, folate intakes were negatively correlated with homocysteine of infertile women only. In conclusion, infertile women are needed to intake more B vitamins intakes. Furthermore researches are needed to estimate adequate B vitamin supplementation in infertile women.
Child ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Homocysteine* ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Infertility ; Prevalence ; Riboflavin ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamin B Complex ; Vitamins*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recent research regarding vitamin B6 status including biochemical index is limited. Thus, this study estimated intakes and major food sources of vitamin B6; determined plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP); and assessed vitamin B6 status of Korean adults. MATERIALS/METHODS: Three consecutive 24-h diet recalls and fasting blood samples were collected from healthy 20- to 64-year-old adults (n = 254) living in the Seoul metropolitan area, cities of Kwangju and Gumi, Korea. Vitamin B6 intake and plasma PLP were analyzed by gender and by vitamin B6 supplementation. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine associations of vitamin B6 intake and plasma PLP. RESULTS: The mean dietary and total (dietary plus supplemental) vitamin B6 intake was 1.94 +/- 0.64 and 2.41 +/- 1.45 mg/day, respectively. Median (50th percentile) dietary intake of men and women was 2.062 and 1.706 mg/day. Foods from plant sources provided 70.61% of dietary vitamin B6 intake. Only 6.3% of subjects consumed total vitamin B6 less than Estimated Average Requirements. Plasma PLP concentration of all subjects was 40.03 +/- 23.71 nmol/L. The concentration of users of vitamin B6 supplements was significantly higher than that of nonusers (P < 0.001). Approximately 16% of Korean adults had PLP levels < 20 nmol/L, indicating a biochemical deficiency of vitamin B6, while 19.7% had marginal vitamin B6 status. Plasma PLP concentration showed positive correlation with total vitamin B6 intake (r = 0.40984, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, vitamin B6 intake of Korean adults was generally adequate. However, one-third of subjects had vitamin B6 deficiency or marginal status. Therefore, in some adults in Korea, consumption of vitamin B6-rich food sources should be encouraged.
Adult ; Diet ; Fasting ; Female ; Gwangju ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged* ; Morinda ; Plants ; Plasma ; Pyridoxal ; Seoul ; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency ; Vitamin B 6* ; Vitamins

This study was designed to compare the incidence and severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) between normal (N = 85) and overweight or obese (N = 28) college female students and investigated correlation between PMS, nutrient intake, hematological index and psychological index (depression, anxiety, stress). Each subject was asked a Menstrual Discomfort Questionnaire (MDQ) for PMS by 5 Likert scale. The PMS scores of women in the normal weight subjects ranked in order of severity were water retention (2.71), followed by behavioral change (2.58), negative affect (2.46), pain (2.31), autonomic reaction (2.27), decreased concentration (2.16). The symptoms of 'pain' and 'behavioral change' of overweight or obese subject were significantly higher than those of normal subject (p < 0.05). And total cholesterol concentration of overweight or obese subjects was significantly higher than in normal subject (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between the symptoms of 'negative effect' and BMI. And the triglyceride concentration was positively related with 'water retention (p < 0.01)'. The symptoms of 'decreased concentration' were negatively correlated with calcium (p < 0.01) and vitamin B6 intake (p < 0.05). The depression score were positively related with symptoms of 'behavioral change (p < 0.05)', 'negative affect' (p < 0.01), and the anxiety score was positively correlated with 'behavioral change (p < 0.05)' and 'decreased concentration (p < 0.05)'. The stress score was positively correlated with 'decreased concentration (p < 0.01)', 'behavioral change (p < 0.05)' and 'negative affect (p < 0.05)'. This suggests that PMS represents the clinical manifestation of a calcium, vitamin B6 deficiency and psychological disorder. Therefore we concluded that nutrient supplementation, depression and stress management may help to relieve PMS symptoms.
Anxiety ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retention (Psychology) ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency ; Water

Pyridoxine deficiency and excess have both been implicated as causes of peripheral neuropathy. A 74-year-old man presented with paresthesia in both legs that first appeared 2 months previously. A nerve conduction study revealed axonal sensory polyneuropathy. He had consumed 100 milligrams of pyridoxine every day for 1 year, in the form of vitamin tablets. His blood levels of vitamin B6 were markedly elevated to above 250 nmol/L. This case indicates that the consumption of high-dose pyridoxine can cause sensory polyneuropathy.
Aged ; Axons ; Humans ; Leg ; Neural Conduction ; Paresthesia ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Polyneuropathies* ; Pyridoxine* ; Tablets ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency ; Vitamins

This study examined the characteristics of the foodservice menu items offered at senior welfare centers to provide information on Korean senior menu development. A total of 514 lunch menu items were collected from 27 senior welfare centers in April, July, October and January. The most frequently served staple foods, soups, and side dishes were multi-grain rice, seaweed soup, Bulgogi, Kimchi, and liquid yogurt. The proportions of carbohydrate, protein, and lipids of total energy serving of senior welfare centers were 59.8%: 16.7%: and 22.8%, respectively. The nutrients served at less than 40% of the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) and Adequate Intake (AI) of Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) were chloride (1.0%), vitamin D (1.3%), biotin (1.7%), magnessium (4.5%), Iodine (7.5%), pantothenic acid (8.0%), vitamin E (12.5%), vitamin B6 (20.0~21.4%), vitamin K (21.1~24.3%), and water (35.7~39.7%). The nutrients served in excess of the daily intake goal and RNI were iron (98.9~127.1%), sodium (104.9%), and copper (1,100.0%).
Aged* ; Biotin ; Copper ; Humans ; Iodine ; Iron ; Lunch ; Pantothenic Acid ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Seaweed ; Sodium ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin E ; Vitamin K ; Vitamins ; Water ; Yogurt