Effects of cyanocobalamin on immunity in patients with pernicious anemia.
Erkurt, M.A., Aydogdu, I., Dikilita,Å.Ÿ., Kuku, I., Kaya, E., Bayraktar, N., Ozhan, O., Ozkan, I.,and Sonmez, A. Med Princ Pract – 01-JAN-2008; 17(2): 131-5
Objectives: To evaluate patients with pernicious anemia regarding the role of Vitamin B12 in both cellular and humoral immunity.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted. Changes in T and B lymphocyte subpopulations, Natural Killer (NK) cell number, serum C3/C4 and levels of immunoglobulins G, M and A were measured before and during treatment of Vitamin B12deficient patients with cyanocobalamin.
Results: Pre-treatment, the absolute numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes was decreased as was NK cell activity. The CD4+/ CD8+was also decreased. After treatment with cyanocobalamin, these values were restored to normal levels. Serum levels of C3, C4 and immunoglobulins G, M and A were increased post-treatment.
Conclusions: Vitamin B12 plays an important role in cellular and humoral immunity and immunoregulation. In patients with pernicious anemia, immune parameters were restored after treatment with cyanocobalamin.