Nonradioactive vitamin B12 absorption test evaluated in controls and in patients with inherited malabsorption of vitamin B12


Bor M., Cetin W., Aytac Ş. S., Altay C., Nexo E.

Clinical Chemistry, cilt.51, sa.11, ss.2151-2155, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 51 Sayı: 11
  • Basım Tarihi: 2005
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1373/clinchem.2005.055509
  • Dergi Adı: Clinical Chemistry
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2151-2155
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: Current tests for evaluation of vitamin B12 absorption are problematic because they involve the use of radioactively labeled vitamin B12. We describe a vitamin B12 absorption test that circumvents this problem. Methods: We measured cobalamin or transcobalamin saturated with cobalamin (holo-TC) 24 h after three 9-μg doses of vitamin B12 given orally at 6-h intervals. We studied 17 patients with inherited malabsorption of vitamin B12 attributable to Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome (n = 13) or intrinsic factor deficiency (n = 4), their obligate heterozygous biological parents (n = 19), and healthy controls (n = 44). Results: In the patients, the median (range) change of holo-TC after the B12 load was not significant [1 (-42 to 5) pmol/L], nor was the change of cobalamin [-3 (-32 to 22) pmol/L], consistent with a lack of measurable active or passive absorption. In controls, however, the median (range) increases of holo-TC and cobalamin were 26 (-6 to 63) pmol/L and 41 (-37 to 109) pmol/L, respectively. Similarly, the parents showed increases of 23 (-2 to 47) pmol/L and 27 (-15 to 94) pmol/L. The mean areas under the ROC curves (95% confidence intervals) were 0.97 (0.93-1.0) for holo-TC and 0.87 (0.79-0.94) for cobalamin, distinguishing patients from controls. At a cutoff of 6 pmol/L for holo-TC, the diagnostic sensitivity (95% confidence interval) was 100 (81-100)%, and the diagnostic specificity was 92 (82-97)%. Conclusion: Measurement of holo-TC after administration of vitamin B12 is a promising approach for evaluating vitamin B12 absorption. © 2005 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.