VITAMIN-B-6 SUPPLEMENTATION AND THEOPHYLLINE-RELATED EFFECTS IN HUMANS

This study investigates whether vitamin B-6 supplementation reduces th e stimulatory effects of theophylline (a pyridoxal kinase antagonist) on the nervous system. Twenty young, healthy adults entered this doubl e-blind, randomized, crossover study but only 15 completed the experim ent. The dependent measures were a battery of psychomotor tests, elect ro-physioiogical tests, and self-report questionnaires. Most tests, in cluding spectral electroencephalography, aspects of the electromyograp h, the Sternberg Test of information processing, and questionnaires of sleep quality and daytime sleepiness failed to distinguish between vi tamin B-6 and placebo supplementation. However, theophylline-related t remor was markedly reduced (p < 0.01) with vitamin B-6 supplementation after a single dose of theophylline and a similar but nonsignificant trend was observed with repeated doses. There was a tendency for vitam in B-6 supplementation to reduce many side effects related to nervous system function. These findings suggest that vitamin B-6 supplementati on with theophylline therapy may have some beneficial effects.