Studies on Vitamin B12 metabolism following liver injury. Part I.Effect of liver injury on vitamin B12 metabolism

ABSTRACT

The data presented in this study clearly demostrate(a) liver damage induced by chemical agents increased significantly serum vitamin B12 level and at the same time diminished liver B12 concentration, (b) the increase of B12 level in the serum is attributable mainly to vitamin B12 activity and not to alkali stable factors in the serum, (c) the absorption of orally administered vitamin B12 labelled Co60 is not influenced by existing high vitamin B12 level in the serum liver injury, (d) the increased level of serum vitamin Br after liver injury is largely due to the mobilization of vitamin B12 stores in the liver, (e) hepatic uptake of radioactive vitamin B12Co60 is considerably diminished after the induction of liver damage, (f) parenteral administration of vitamin B12Co60 after injury increased urinary excretion of radioactivity. (Summary and conclusion)