DIRECT ACTION OF VITAMIN B12 UPON HUMAN BONE MARROW

Abstract

A method of direct instillation of test substances into human bone marrow cavities is descr. 1 ug. of vit. B12 or 1 or 2 mgs. of folic acid in 1 cc of physiologic saline were injected into the marrow cavity of the iliac crest of patients with pernicious anemia in relapse. 48 hrs. later marrow was removed from the exact site of injn. and from the opposite iliac crest. Study of films of marrow from these sites stained with Wright-Giemsa stain, methyl green and pyronin B and by the Feulgen staining method indicate that vit. B12 can be utilized locally by the bone marrow cells and that a qualitative abnormality in cellular ribonucleic acid in persons with pernicious anemia in relapse is corrected. It need not be altered by stomach or liver to exert this effect. Folic acid is not utilized locally by bone marrow cells within 48 hrs. of instillation into the marrow cavity; but when given orally or parenterally, it has the same cytologic and cytochemical effects as vit. B12. It is probable that folic acid must be converted to an active hematopoietic substance by enzymatic activity elsewhere in the body.