Abnormal vitamin B6 status in rheumatoid cachexia. Association with spontaneous tumor necrosis factor alpha production and markers of inflammation

Arthritis Rheum. 1995 Jan;38(1):105-9. doi: 10.1002/art.1780380116.

Abstract

Objective: To compare vitamin B6 levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy control subjects.

Methods: We measured levels of vitamin B6 in 23 adults with well-controlled RA, and in 23 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, race, and weight.

Results: Although plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations and erythrocyte B6 activity coefficients were similar in the patients and controls, plasma levels of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) were lower in the RA patient group (mean +/- SD 46.1 +/- 48.1 versus 69.3 +/- 58.4 nmoles/liter; P < 0.004). In multivariate analyses, PLP was inversely associated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (P < 0.001), after adjustment for age, pain score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Conclusion: PLP levels are reduced in patients with RA. This reduction is associated with TNF alpha production by PBMC.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / blood
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism*
  • Cachexia / complications*
  • Cachexia / metabolism*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet
  • Endotoxins / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyridoxal Phosphate / blood
  • Pyridoxine / analysis*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Vitamin B 12 / metabolism

Substances

  • Endotoxins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Pyridoxal Phosphate
  • Folic Acid
  • Pyridoxine
  • Vitamin B 12