Pyridoxal Phosphate in Plasma and Leukocytes in Patients with Leukemia and Other Diseases.

Abstract

The amount of coenzymatically active vitamin Bg was determined in plasma and leukocytes in patients with various diseases. Values for plasma and leukocytes varied widely in all groups examined. A statistically significant decrease of plasma Bg was found only in patients with nutritional anemia and various forms of leukemia. However, the amount of pyridoxal phosphate was very low in individual patients with various other diseases. This may indicate a decreased intake of vitamin in some hospitalized patients or an increased need fox it. Bg values in leukocytes were consistently decreased in patients with various forms of leukemia. In contrast, cells from normal bone marrow and from tonsils showed significantly higher amounts of pyridoxal phosphate.