Kits
ID-Vit® Vitamin B12 direct MTP Assay
Kits
Description
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), a collective term for a group of various substituted corrinoide
with cobalt as the central atom, is found free and also protein-bound in food.
The protein-bound form is degraded by pancreatic protease, releasing free B12 which
binds to intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by gastric parietal cells of the stomach
mucosa. The cobalamin-intrinsic factor complex is bound to mucous membrane cells
of the stomach in the ileum and absorbed by the cells. In the case of high doses, a diffusion
of the complex also takes place. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein transcolbalamin
II (TC-II) within the cells. TC-II serves as a transport protein for vitamin B12 in
the circulation system.
Vitamin B12 is involved as a co-enzyme in metabolic processes and plays an important
role in the formation of the blood, the development of the nervous system and the
regeneration of the mucous membranes. In addition, there is a direct relationship
to the formation of folic acid because methylcobalamin is involved in the transfer of
methyl groups for the synthesis of methionin from homocystein.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is rarely caused by dietary factors. In most cases, it results from
a resorption disorder of the intestines or defective development of intrinsic factor.
Since vitamin B12 resorption can be reduced up to 50% in the elderly, an increased
supplement is recommended. Pregnant women with a lacto-vegetarian diet are also
recommended to increase their intake because their vitamin B12 stores in the liver
could be exhausted.
The classical vitamin B12 deficiency disease is pernicious anemia. In the early stages
of the disease, vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms are manifested as weariness, palpitations,
pallor or jaundice
with cobalt as the central atom, is found free and also protein-bound in food.
The protein-bound form is degraded by pancreatic protease, releasing free B12 which
binds to intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by gastric parietal cells of the stomach
mucosa. The cobalamin-intrinsic factor complex is bound to mucous membrane cells
of the stomach in the ileum and absorbed by the cells. In the case of high doses, a diffusion
of the complex also takes place. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein transcolbalamin
II (TC-II) within the cells. TC-II serves as a transport protein for vitamin B12 in
the circulation system.
Vitamin B12 is involved as a co-enzyme in metabolic processes and plays an important
role in the formation of the blood, the development of the nervous system and the
regeneration of the mucous membranes. In addition, there is a direct relationship
to the formation of folic acid because methylcobalamin is involved in the transfer of
methyl groups for the synthesis of methionin from homocystein.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is rarely caused by dietary factors. In most cases, it results from
a resorption disorder of the intestines or defective development of intrinsic factor.
Since vitamin B12 resorption can be reduced up to 50% in the elderly, an increased
supplement is recommended. Pregnant women with a lacto-vegetarian diet are also
recommended to increase their intake because their vitamin B12 stores in the liver
could be exhausted.
The classical vitamin B12 deficiency disease is pernicious anemia. In the early stages
of the disease, vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms are manifested as weariness, palpitations,
pallor or jaundice