Uptake of Vitamin B₁₂ by Intestinal Bacteria in the Stagnant Loop Syndrome

Abstract

Schjönsby, H., Drasar, B. S., Tabaqchali. S. & Booth, C. C. 1973. Uptake of Vitamin Bj2 by Intestinal Bacteria in the Stagnant Loop Syndrome. Scand. J. Gastroent. 8, 41-47.

Following a test meal with human intrinsic-factor-bound ⁵⁷CoBi2, the radioactivity in the deposits of centrifuged ileal aspirates was markedly higher in patients with jejunal diverticulosis and vitamin B₁₂-malabsorption than in patients with jejunal diverticulosis and normal B₁₂-absorption, partial gastrectomy, and healthy volunteers. Neomycin treatment of one patient with jejunal diverticulosis and B₁₂-malabsorption resulted in improved B₁₂-absorption, reduced radioactivity in the ileal deposits, and decreased concentration of anaerobic bacteria in ileum. When bacteria isolated from the abnormal intestinal flora of patients with jejunal diverticulosis and B₁₂-malabsorption were grown in pure cultures, most bacteria, excepting bacteroides and coliforms, were unable to take up intrinsic-factor-bound ⁵⁷CoB₁₂.

Key-words::

• Diverticulosis
• intestinal absorption
• malabsorption syndromes
• vitamin B₁₂