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

DOI: 10.4328/JCAM.5629 Received: 19.12.2017 Accepted: 05.01.2018 Published Online: 08.01.2018 Printed: 01.05.2018 J Clin Anal Med 2018;9(3): 192-4 Corresponding Author: Yılmaz Sezgin, Department of Family Medicine, University of Health Science, İstanbul Educational Research Hospital, 34098 Fatih, İstanbul, Turkey. GSM: +905383425644 E-Mail: drysezgin@gmail.com 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. Material and 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 visitsA1AT 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. Discussion: This study’s results suggest that the level of vitamin B12 may have a significant role in the synthesis of A1AT.