Effect of pyridoxine or riboflavin supplementation on plasma homocysteine levels in women with oral lesions.

BACKGROUND

A moderate increase in plasma homocysteine level has been reported to be involved in neural tube defects, which can be prevented with folic acid supplementation. Folic acid, vitamins B6- and B12-dependent enzymes are required to metabolize homocysteine. A study in rats showed higher tissue homocysteine levels in riboflavin as well as pyridoxine deficiency. We studied the effect of treatment with pyridoxine or riboflavin on plasma total homocysteine concentration in women with clinical and biochemical deficiencies of riboflavin and pyridoxine.

METHODS

Plasma total homocysteine concentrations were measured in 20 women with glossitis and angular stomatitis before and after supplementation with pyridoxine or riboflavin.

RESULTS

Pyridoxine treatment significantly reduced plasma homocysteine concentration while riboflavin treatment did not have a significant effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma total homocysteine levels tended to be higher in women with clinical and biochemical deficiency of vitamin B6 and therapy with pyridoxine reduced its level significantly. Riboflavin supplementation did not have a significant impact on plasma homocysteine concentration in women with glossitis and angular stomatitis.