Deranged concentrations of water-soluble vitamins in the blood of undialyzed and dialyzed patients with chronic renal failure.

Blood concentration of water-soluble vitamins were measured in patients with mild chronic renal insufficiency, uremic undialyzed and dialyzed patients and control subjects. The whole blood concentration of B1 was significantly lower in dialyzed patients. Plasma levels of B2 were elevated in uremic and dialyzed patients and plasma B6 was significantly increased in dialyzed patients. Serum levels of B12 and folic acid were elevated in uremic and dialyzed patients. The results of this study differ from those reported from Europe and the U.S.A. These geographical differences may arise primarily from differences in staple food, vegetable intake, and traditional methods of food preparation.