Interpretation of erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation test values for assessing riboflavin status.

The erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation test (EGR-AC) is considered to be the best method to assess riboflavin nutritional status. Riboflavin supplementation studies carried out in India have raised doubts about the validity of currently available interpretive guidelines for interpreting the EGR-AC test. Changes in EGR-AC values in response to graded doses of riboflavin supplementation were investigated in schoolchildren, aged 7-11 years, belonging to the low-income group. For comparison, unsupplemented well-to-do schoolchildren of similar age group were also examined. The results of the study based on the measurement of EGR-AC by the procedure of Bayoumi and Rosalki (Clinical Chemistry, 1976, Vol. 22, pp. 327-335) with an incubation period of 15 min suggest that the cut-off value for EGR-AC to discriminate between riboflavin-deficient and normal children cannot be less than 1.5.