VITAMIN-B-6 AND VITAMIN-C STATUS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH INFECTIONS DURING HOSPITALIZATION

We have evaluated whether vitamin B-6 and C metabolism may be altered by infection in the elderly. Vitamin Bg and C biochemical status has b een assessed for times over a period of 21 days (days 0, 7, 14, and 21 ) in 18 subjects greater than or equal to 75 years. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: group I (8 subjects with acute infection), grou p II (4 malnourished subjects), and group III (6 control subjects). Vi tamin B-6 status was determined by plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) and erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase activation coefficient (al pha-EAST), and vitamin C status by plasma ascorbic acid. During the 3 weeks, vitamins B-6 and C values were significantly different between groups: at days 7 and 14, PLP values were significantly higher in grou p III than in both groups I and II, and alpha-EAST values were signifi cantly higher in group I than in both groups II and III. Plasma ascorb ate values were significantly lower in group I than in both groups II and III. These data suggest that an acute catabolic state like infecti on may influence vitamin B-6 and C metabolism. Nevertheless, more work is needed to assert that vitamin B-6 and C supplementation may be use ful during infection.