Physicochemical characteristics, biological functions and deficiency of cobalamins

ABSTRACT

Cobalamins are complex organometallic compounds of biological interest present in animal food products including meat, eggs and milk. The clinically important cobalamins, i.e. cyanocobalamin [vitamin Bl2], hydroxocobalamin and methylcobalamin exist as coenzymes in biological system and are involved in several biochemical functions. The deficiency of vitamin B12 occurs mainly due to its malabsorption and results in pernicious anemia. This disease is age related and is associated with the destruction of parietal cells in the stomach. Clinical studies with high dose supplementation of cobalamins suggest a strong correlation between the duration of cognitive symptoms of the disease and the therapy. Neural tube defects and other birth defects have also been reported with cobalamin deficiency