Studies on Serum Vitamin B_6 and PLP Status in Pregnant Women

Abstract

The serum vitamin B_6 (PAL, PAM, PIN) and PLP levels in 54 pregnant women and in 43 controls of non pregnant young women were investigated by HPLC method. The mean serum B_6 levels in pregnant women showed 6.7±4.3ng/ml, while that of controls showed 12.0±3.2ng/ml (p<0.001). The mean serum PLP levels in pregnant women showed 3.9±1.9ng/ml, while that of controls showed 9.3±3.7ng/ml (p<0.001). The decrease of serum vitamin B_6 and PLP levels occurred gradually during pregnancy, and lowest levels were shown during the last trimester. The dietary B_6 intake in 75 pregnant women estimated by evaluating three-days records was 2.1±0.7mg/day. The serum B_6 levels in 13 women estrgen-containing oral contraceptive was 7.7±3.8ng/ml (p<0.001). This suggests that estrogen play a role in decrease of serum B_6 levels during pregnancy.