Riboflavin and health: A review of recent human research.

There has lately been a renewed interest in Riboflavin owing to insight into its recognition as an essential component of cellular biochemistry. The knowledge of the mechanisms and regulation of intestinal absorption of riboflavin and its health implications has significantly been expanded in recent years. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the importance of riboflavin, its absorption and metabolism in health and diseased conditions, its deficiency and its association with various health diseases, and metabolic disorders. Efforts have been made to review the available information in literature on the relationship between riboflavin and various clinical abnormalities. The role of riboflavin has also been dealt in the prevention of a wide array of health diseases like migraine, anemia, cancer, hyperglycemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and oxidative stress directly or indirectly. The riboflavin deficiency has profound effect on iron absorption, metabolism of tryptophan, mitochondrial dysfunction, gastrointestinal tract, brain dysfunction, and metabolism of other vitamins as well as is associated with skin disorders. Toxicological and photosensitizing properties of riboflavin make it suitable for biological use, such as virus inactivation, excellent photosensitizer, and promising adjuvant in chemo radiotherapy in cancer treatment. A number of recent studies have indicated and highlighted the cellular processes and biological effects associated with riboflavin supplementation in metabolic diseases. Overall, a deeper understanding of these emerging roles of riboflavin intake is essential to design better therapies for future.

Soyamilk fermented with riboflavin-producing Lactobacillus plantarum CRL 2130 reverts and prevents ariboflavinosis in murine models.

It has been previously shown that Lactobacillus plantarum CRL 2130 is able to produce riboflavin in soyamilk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of this riboflavin-bio-enriched soyamilk to revert and/or prevent the nutritional deficiency of riboflavin using different animal models. When used to supplement the diets of previously depleted animals, it was shown that the growth, riboflavin status and morphology of the small intestines reverted to normal parameters and were similar to animals supplemented with commercial riboflavin. In the prevention model, the same tendency was observed, where animals that received soyamilk fermented with L. plantarum CRL 2130 did not show signs of riboflavin deficiency. This new bio-fortified soya-based product could be used as part of normal diets to provide a more natural alternative to mandatory fortification with riboflavin for the prevention of its deficiency.

[The alimentary status sisk of the hevophilia with the lesion of jointts].

The diagnostic findings sick of a hemophilia with recurring hemarthrosis are presented. At studying of componential structure of a body by a method of bioimpedansometriya considerable fluctuations of an index of weight of a body, a poor development of a muscular fabric, increase in percentage of a fatty fabric that is connected with low, physical activity and increase in the contribution of fat in power value of a food ration have been found out in patients. Results of research of an actual food by a frequency method with a quantitative estimation at sick of hemophilia and healthy students testify to probable risk of insufficient consumption of vitamins B1, B2 and calcium, magnesium that demands individual correction.

Quinoa pasta fermented with lactic acid bacteria prevents nutritional deficiencies in mice.

In recent years, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd), an ancestral crop of the Andean region of South America, has gained worldwide attention due to its high nutritional value. This grain is a good source of several vitamins and minerals; however, their bioavailability is decreased by the presence of antinutritional factors such as phytic acid. These compounds can be reduced using lactic acid bacteria (LAB), that have a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status and have traditionally been associated with food fermentation due to their biosynthetic capacity and metabolic versatility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a pasta made with quinoa sourdough fermented by L. plantarum strains producing vitamins B2 and B9 and phytase to prevent vitamins and minerals deficiency using an in vivo mouse model. The results showed that the pasta fermented with the mixed culture containing L. plantarum CRL 2107 + L. plantarum CRL 1964 present increased B2 and B9 levels in mice blood. Likewise, higher concentrations of P, Ca+2, Fe+2, Mg+2 (18.75, 10.70, 0.37, 4.85 mg/dL, respectively) were determined with respect to the deficient group (DG) (9.85, 9.90, 0.26, 3.34 mg/dL, respectively). Hematological studies showed an increase in hemoglobin (14.4 ±â€¯0.6 g/dL), and hematocrit (Htc, 47.0 ±â€¯0.6%) values, compared to the DG (Hb: 12.6 ±â€¯0.5 g/dL, Hto: 39.9 ±â€¯1.1%). Furthermore, histological evaluations of the intestines showed an increase of the small intestine villi length in this latter group. The results allow us to conclude that bio-enrichment of quinoa pasta using LAB could be a novel strategy to increase vitamin and minerals bioavailability in cereal/pseudocereal - derived foods.

Efficacy of fortification of school meals with ferrous glycine phosphate and riboflavin against anemia and angular stomatitis in schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple micronutrient deficiencies exist in many developing countries. We conducted a study to test the efficacy of ferrous glycine phosphate in reducing anemia and of riboflavin in reducing angular stomatitis when these micronutrients were added to the noon meal for schoolchildren. METHODS: A pre- and post-test design was used to study children 5 to 9 years of age, with an experimental and a control group. Two schools in the same locality in Chennai were chosen for the study. The experimental school had 65 children and the control school had 71 children, all of whom consumed a noon meal at the school daily. The children in the experimental school received a powder containing ferrous glycine phosphate and riboflavin, which was added to the meal during cooking every day for 6 months. The dosage was 28 mg of elemental iron and 1 mg of riboflavin per child per day. The children attended school for 5 days each week from Monday to Friday, except for holidays; they received the fortificants on 100 days during the 6-month period. There was no intervention in the control school. Children in the experimental and control groups were matched by socioeconomic status, age, and eating habits at baseline. All the children in the experimental and control schools were dewormed at baseline and at endline after 6 months. Hemoglobin was measured by the cynamethemoglobin method at baseline and endline. RESULTS: Binary logistic regression showed a significant (p < .001) time x group interaction for anemia. The prevalence of anemia in the experimental school was 69.0% at baseline and 32.8% after 100 days of intervention over 6 months, a statistically significant change (p < .001). The prevalence of anemia in the control school was 91.5% at baseline and increased to 97.2% at endline; the increase was not statistically significant. The prevalence of angular stomatitis was reduced from 21% at baseline to 0% at endline in the experimental school, whereas it was 23% at baseline and 20% at endline in the control school. CONCLUSIONS: The added fortificants reduced the prevalence of the micronutrient deficiencies.

Adequate vitamin B12 and riboflavin status from menus alone in residential care facilities in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia.

Older adults have potential increased risk of nutrient deficiencies because of age-related decreased dietary intake and malabsorption; it is important to ensure nutrient needs are met to avoid adverse health outcomes. B vitamins are of particular interest: vitamin B12 deficiency can cause irreversible neurodegeneration; there is mandatory folic acid fortification in Canada; and suboptimal riboflavin status has been reported among older adults in the United Kingdom. In this exploratory secondary analysis study we assessed vitamin B12 and riboflavin biochemical status (via microparticle enzyme immunoassay and erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRac), respectively), and the vitamin B12, riboflavin, and folate content of menus served to a convenience sample of older adults (≥65 years) from 5 residential care facilities within the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Diet was assessed from customized 28-day cycle meal plans. Participants (n = 207; 53 men and 154 women) were aged 86 ± 7 years, largely of European descent (92%), and nonsmokers (95%). The menus served had a low prevalence of inadequacy for vitamin B12 and riboflavin (only 4% and 1% of menus contained less than the estimated average requirement (EAR), respectively), but 93% contained less than the EAR for folate. Mean ± SD serum total vitamin B12 concentration was 422 ± 209 pmol/L, and EGRac was 1.30 ± 0.19. The majority of older adults in residential care were provided with adequate vitamin B12 and riboflavin menu amounts, and only 5% were vitamin B12 deficient (<148 pmol/L). However, 26% were riboflavin deficient (EGRac ≥ 1.4), which may warrant further investigation.

Riboflavin in Human Health: A Review of Current Evidences.

Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin, which was initially isolated from milk. There are two coenzyme forms of riboflavin, flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide, in which riboflavin plays important roles in the enzymatic reactions. Riboflavin is found in a wide variety of animal and plant foods. Meat and dairy products are the major contributors of riboflavin dietary intake. In this chapter, the latest evidence on the relationship between riboflavin status and specific health risks will be reviewed. Also, some of the mechanisms by which riboflavin exerts its roles will be discussed. The evidence accrued suggests that riboflavin is an antioxidant nutrient which may prevent lipid peroxidation and reperfusion oxidative injury. Moreover, riboflavin deficiency may increase the risk of some cancers. Riboflavin may also exert a neuroprotective effects in some neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson disease, migraine, and multiple sclerosis) through its role in some pathways that are hypothesized to be impaired in neurological disorders such as antioxidation, myelin formation, mitochondrial function, and iron metabolism.

A novel dairy product fermented with Propionibacterium freudenreichii improves the riboflavin status of deficient rats.

OBJECTIVE: Riboflavin deficiency is common in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. The use of riboflavin-producing strains in the production of dairy products such as fermented milk, yogurt, and cheese is feasible and economically attractive because it would decrease the costs involved during conventional vitamin fortification and satisfy consumer demands for healthier foods. The present study in a rat bioassay assessed the response of administration of yogurt containing a riboflavin-producing strain of Propionibacterium freudenreichii on the riboflavin status of deficient rats. METHODS: Propionibacterium freudenreichii NIZO B2336 is a spontaneous roseoflavin-resistant mutant derived from P. freudenreichii B374 that produces larger amounts of riboflavin than the parental stain. Rats were fed a riboflavin-deficient diet for 21 d (depletion period), after which this same diet was supplemented with conventional yogurt, yogurt containing the riboflavin-producing strain (B2336), or the parental non-producing strain (B374) and fed to animals for 28 d (repletion period). As controls, rats were fed the same diet with different concentrations of commercial riboflavin. RESULTS: The novel fermented product containing P. freudenreichii B2336, with increased levels of riboflavin, eliminated most physiologic manifestations of ariboflavinosis such as stunted growth, high erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient values, and hepatomegaly that were observed when using a riboflavin depletion-repletion model, whereas the product fermented with the non-riboflavin-producing strain did not show this beneficial effect. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of such products with increased levels of riboflavin on a regular basis may help prevent deficiencies of this essential vitamin.

The effects of regular consumption of a multiple micronutrient fortified milk beverage on the micronutrient status of school children and on their mental and physical performance.

Multiple micronutrient deficiencies exist in school going children in India and bridging the gap between nutrient intake and requirements is an effective way to combat the deficiencies. This study aimed to test the effect of a multi-micronutrient fortified malt and cocoa based milk beverage on the micronutrient status, cognition, physical performance and nutritional deficiencies of 7-10 years old south Indian children. A randomized, double blind placebo controlled study design was used with normal healthy children from low to middle income families, aged 7-10 years randomly assigned to receive either a multi-micronutrient fortified or an unfortified milk based control drink. The drinks were provided 6 days/week for 5 months. Assessments included anthropometry, blood biochemistry, physical performance and cognition at baseline and endline. The baseline characteristics of the study groups were similar. The changes in body weight and height were similar between the groups at the end of the study. Levels of vitamin B12, red cell folate and vitamin B2 significantly improved in the intervention group, while vitamin D, selenium and body iron showed no difference. The Hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin levels of the control group decreased at endline, while those in the intervention group maintained their levels. The serum transferrin receptor levels increased in both the groups. The prevalence of iron deficiency and Vitamin B2 deficiency were significantly lower in the intervention group at endline. Overall improvement in cognitive and physical performance was seen in both the groups at endline, with no significant differences between the groups. The micronutrient fortified milk based drink was efficacious in improving the micronutrient status of Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12 and red cell folate and in preventing a decline in Hb level compared to an unfortified milk based drink. It also reduced anemia and the risk of deficiencies of iron, and B12, in apparently healthy children. ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT01415557. Clinical Trial RegistryIndia - REF/2012/12/004332.

Water-soluble vitamins: research update.

For more than 50 years, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences has been reviewing nutrition research and defining nutrient requirements for healthy people, referred to as the recommended dietary allowances (RDA). As new nutrition research is published, the importance of vitamins as vital nutrients is underscored, and new physiologic roles and applications to human health are examined and considered with regard to updating the RDA. Each year a substantial amount of research is published on vitamins. This article examines and summarizes noteworthy research published on individual water-soluble vitamins (excluding vitamin C) in the past 12 months, provides relevant background information on these vitamins, and offers critical reviews as appropriate.

Need for riboflavin supplementation in small prematures fed with human milk.

It is the practice in Finland to feed small premature infants with human milk and with no riboflavin supplementation. In this study the riboflavin status was analyzed in 39 such premature infants, 19 with riboflavin supplementation (0.3 mg/day) and 20 without, in their mothers, and in breast-milk samples during a period of 12 wk after delivery. The mean gestational age of the infants was 30.1 wk and their birth weight 1,183 g. Stimulation of erythrocyte glutathione reductase by flavin-adenine-dinucleotide was used as the criterion for riboflavin status in the blood samples. At age 6 wk 47% of the infants without supplementation had activity coefficient values indicative of riboflavin deficiency. The riboflavin status of the infants receiving supplementation was better (p less than 0.01). The concentration of riboflavin in the human milk samples was dependent on the amount of riboflavin supplementation of the mothers during the period from two to twelve weeks after delivery (p less than 0.05-0.01). These data indicate that, in small premature infants the intake of riboflavin may be inadequate without supplementation during the first few weeks after birth.

Riboflavin status in infants born in rural Gambia, and the effect of a weaning food supplement.

Riboflavin status was measured in infants between birth and two years of age, by the erythrocyte glutathione reductase (NAD(P)H2: glutathione oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.4.2) test on finger-prick blood samples. The infants were living in three rural Gambian villages: Keneba, Manduar and Kanton Kundar; those in Keneba were receiving a weaning food supplement between three and 12 months, which provided 0.15 to 0.20 mg riboflavin per day, in addition to their normal intake from breast milk and locally available weaning foods, which provided 0.13 to 0.21 mg/day over the same age range. On the basis of currently accepted criteria of biochemical normality, the unsupplemented infants were born deficient and, in the absence of a supplement, remained so throughout their first two years of life, with only a minor, short-lived improvement during the first few months. In the supplemented group, however, riboflavin status fell within normal limits for the duration of the supplement, but rapidly deteriorated again once the supplement was withdrawn. It is concluded that infants born to deficient mothers are usually deficient at birth, and remain so throughout suckling and weaning on to locally available foods. The daily requirement, to achieve satisfactory biochemical status, is thus greater than 0.13 to 0.21 mg/day, and probably approaches 0.4 mg/day, for most individuals up to the age of one year.

Riboflavin requirement of Filipino women.

The level of riboflavin intake that will correct riboflavin deficiency in seven non-pregnant and in twelve pregnant Filipino women was determined in order to reassess the adequacy of the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for riboflavin in Filipinos. Increasing levels of riboflavin were given to the subjects who were rated as riboflavin-deficient based on an initial erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGR-AC) of greater than or equal to 1.3 in screening. The minimum riboflavin requirement, defined as the intake of riboflavin required to achieve an EGR-AC of less than 1.3, was estimated from the regression of EGR-AC on riboflavin intake (mg/1000 kcal). The estimates of minimum riboflavin requirement from the non-pregnant women ranged from 0.16 to 0.42 with a mean of 0.35 +/- 0.09 (SD) mg/1000 kcal. For the pregnant subjects, the estimates of minimum riboflavin requirement ranged from 0.36 to 0.81 with a mean of 0.58 +/- 0.18 (SD) mg/1000 kcal. Adding 30% to the mean, to cover the upper limits of 97.5% of the population, the estimated RDA for non-pregnant women is 0.46/1000 kcal. This value is approximately equal to the 1976 Philippine RDA of 0.5 mg riboflavin/1000 kcal. For pregnant women, adding 30% to the mean minimum requirement of 0.58 mg/1000 kcal, the estimated RDA is 0.75 mg/1000 kcal or 1.75 mg/day computed at the energy allowance of 2350 kcal during pregnancy. This value is 25% higher than the current Philippine RDA of 1.4 mg/day for pregnant women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Methazid-induced vitamin B2 deficiency in rats and its prevention.

It has been estimated that ten-day rectal administration of metazid in the form of suppositories (20 mg per 100 g of body mass) gives rise to vitamin B2 deficiency both in rats with initial vitamin B2 insufficiency and in those adequately supplied. This is confirmed by a decrease in the vitamin B2 content both in the liver and in the blood plasma. Development and use of suppositories containing combined preparation of metazid and riboflavin (in the dose of 100 micrograms per a rat according to the daily recommended allowance) completely prevent metazid-induced vitamin B2 deficiency.

[Metazid-inducible vitamin B2 deficiency in rats and its prevention]. / Metazidindutsiruemaia nedostatochnost' vitamina B2 u krys i ee predotvrashchenie.

Rectal administration of metaside (20 mg per 100 g body weight) as suppositories for 10 days was found to cause vitamin B2 deficiency both in rats on low-vitamin B2 diet and in those on balanced diet. This appeared as decreased vitamin B2 levels in the liver and plasma. The design and application of suppositories containing the mixed preparation of metaside and riboflavin drug (in a dose of 100 micrograms per rat, which corresponds to the recommended daily requirement) completely prevents vitamin B2 deficiency.

[Distribution and replenishing of riboflavin in albino mice with acute alcoholic intoxication]. / Raspredelenie i obnovliaemost' riboflavina v organizme belykh myshei v usloviiakh ostroi alkogol'noi intoksikatsii.

It is shown that acute alcohol intoxication in the tissues of white mice accelerates riboflavin metabolism. In this case arrival of the exogenous vitamin with accompanying depletion of its endogenous resources is observed to intensify.

Suspected outbreak of riboflavin deficiency among populations reliant on food assistance: a case study of drought-stricken Karamoja, Uganda, 2009-2010.

BACKGROUND: In 2009, a humanitarian response was launched to address a food security and livelihoods crisis in Karamoja, Uganda. During a polio immunization campaign in mid-August 2009, health workers in Nakapiripit District reported a concern about an increase in mouth sores, or angular stomatitis (AS) and gum ulcerations, among children in one village, and an investigation was launched. OBJECTIVE: This article describes the investigation, lessons learned, and provides guidance for monitoring micronutrient deficiencies among populations receiving food assistance. DESIGN: An investigation into a suspected outbreak of riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency was initiated, including a rapid assessment, mass screening, a convenience sample collection of blood specimens (n = 58 symptomatic cases and n = 18 asymptomatic individuals), and analysis of the general food ration (70% ration). RESULTS: Findings showed signs of AS in only 399 (0.2%) of 179,172 screened individuals, including adults and children. Biochemical analysis confirmed riboflavin deficiency in 84.5% of specimens from symptomatic individuals and 94.4% of specimens from asymptomatic individuals. Ration distribution data showed that 55% of distributions provided less than half the riboflavin RDA. CONCLUSION: Evidence was insufficient to confirm an actual outbreak of riboflavin deficiency, though the present investigation adds further documentation that micronutrient deficiencies continue to persist among populations in emergency settings. This article describes challenges, lessons learned, and guidance for monitoring micronutrient deficiencies among food assistance recipients, including: ongoing nutrition monitoring and surveillance; training and sensitization about micronutrient deficiencies, sensitization of the population about locally-available food, and identifying ways to improve micronutrient interventions.

Riboflavin laurate nanosuspensions as an intramuscular injection for long-term riboflavin supplementation.

The aim of this study was to prepare riboflavin laurate (RFL) nanosuspensions as an intramuscular injection for long-term riboflavin supplementation. Stable RFL nanosuspensions were obtained by injecting RFL/poloxamer solution in N,N-dimethyl formamide into a trehalose solution. Long soft nanostructures initially appeared and then tube-like rigid nanostructures were obtained after removal of solvents according to the transmission electron microscopic images. The nanosuspensions had narrow size distribution and the mean size was about 300 nm. Molecular self-assembly of RFL may drive the formation of nanostructures. RFL formed a monolayer at the air/water interface and poloxamer 188 could insert into the monolayer. The nanosuspensions were intramuscularly injected into rats to provide long-term riboflavin supplementation for more than 30 days in light of body weight, food intake, and urinary riboflavin. The nanosuspensions were also used to resist the riboflavin deficiency induced by methotrexate chemotherapy. RFL nanosuspensions are a promising nanomedicine for long-term riboflavin supplementation.