A comparison of serum alpha-1-antitrypsin andvitamin B12 levels in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency

Abstract

Aim Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) loses its antiprotease activity as a result of oxidation of the methionine in its structure. Vitamin B12 plays an active role as a co-factor during methionine synthesis. Thus, we think that vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to decreased A1AT.Method The research was planned as an observational study. One hundred eighty patients were enrolled. The levels of serum A1AT and vitamin B12 were compared based on demographic characteristics of the patients. Twenty-seven patients’ -who have accomplished therapeutic protocol and who have come to control visits- A1AT levels were controlled after treatment and compared with the before treatment levels.Results The levels of serum A1AT could not be found statistically significantly different according to the level of vitamin B12. However, in patients using any medication because of a chronic disease, the levels of serum A1AT were found higher in the group with high level of vitamin B12, than the group with the low level of vitamin B12. Serum A1AT levels were found significantly lower in obese
than non-obese participants. Following treatment with vitamin B12, the levels of serum A1AT (pre-treatment 121.67±13.884, post-treatment 138.04±16.922, P=0.001) were found to be increased.Conclusion This study’s results suggest that the level of vitamin B12 may have a significant role in the synthesis of A1AT.

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