Biological properties of vitamin B12
Language English Country England, Great Britain Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Review
PubMed
39376196
DOI
10.1017/s0954422424000210
PII: S0954422424000210
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- cobalamin, cobalt, megaloblastic anaemia, neuropathy, physiological function,
- MeSH
- Diet, Vegetarian MeSH
- Diet MeSH
- Food, Fortified MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Vitamin B 12 Deficiency * diagnosis prevention & control drug therapy etiology MeSH
- Vitamin B 12 * pharmacokinetics chemistry metabolism therapeutic use physiology adverse effects administration & dosage pharmacology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Vitamin B 12 * MeSH
Vitamin B12, cobalamin, is indispensable for humans owing to its participation in two biochemical reactions: the conversion of l-methylmalonyl coenzyme A to succinyl coenzyme A, and the formation of methionine by methylation of homocysteine. Eukaryotes, encompassing plants, fungi, animals and humans, do not synthesise vitamin B12, in contrast to prokaryotes. Humans must consume it in their diet. The most important sources include meat, milk and dairy products, fish, shellfish and eggs. Due to this, vegetarians are at risk to develop a vitamin B12 deficiency and it is recommended that they consume fortified food. Vitamin B12 behaves differently to most vitamins of the B complex in several aspects, e.g. it is more stable, has a very specific mechanism of absorption and is stored in large amounts in the organism. This review summarises all its biological aspects (including its structure and natural sources as well as its stability in food, pharmacokinetics and physiological function) as well as causes, symptoms, diagnosis (with a summary of analytical methods for its measurement), prevention and treatment of its deficiency, and its pharmacological use and potential toxicity.
References provided by Crossref.org
