Human cobalamin deficiency: alterations in serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor.
Eur J Haematol
; 67(2): 123-7, 2001 Aug.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11722601
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
We have previously demonstrated that vitamin B12 (cobalamin)-deficient central neuropathy in the rat is associated with local overexpression of neurotoxic tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha combined with locally decreased synthesis of neurotrophic epidermal growth factor (EGF). The aims of this study were to investigate whether a similar imbalance also occurs in the serum of adult patients with clinically confirmed cobalamin deficiency and whether it can be corrected by vitamin B12 replacement therapy. PATIENTS ANDMETHODS:
We studied 34 adult patients with severe cobalamin deficiency, 12 patients with pure iron deficiency anaemia and 34 control subjects. Haematological markers of cobalamin deficiency and serum TNF-alpha and EGF levels were measured using commercial kits. Thirteen cobalamin-deficient patients were re-evaluated after 3 and 6 months of parenteral vitamin B12 treatment.RESULTS:
TNF-alpha was significantly higher (p < 0.01) and EGF significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the patients with cobalamin deficiency, but both were unchanged in patients with pure iron deficiency anaemia. In cobalamin-deficient patients the serum TNF-alpha levels correlated significantly with plasma total homocysteine levels (r = 0.425; p < 0.02). In the treated patients TNF-alpha and EGF levels normalised concomitantly with clinical and haematological disease remission.CONCLUSIONS:
In humans, as in rats, cobalamin concentration appears to be correlated with the synthesis and release of TNF-alpha and EGF in a reciprocal manner, because cobalamin deficiency is accompanied by overproduction of TNF-alpha and underproduction of EGF.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Deficiencia de Vitamina B 12
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Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa
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Factor de Crecimiento Epidérmico
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Animals
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Haematol
Asunto de la revista:
HEMATOLOGIA
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia