White blood cells, vitamin

We produce free radicals every single day. They re part of living, and we do have natural protectors floating around. Specialized enzymes in our white blood cells, vitamins C and E, and other dietary antioxidants (free radical scavengers ), are examples. With insufficient defenses, some radicals get away and cause cellular damage. 

Absorption, Transport, and Excretion. The vitamin is absorbed through the mouth, the stomach, and predominantly through the distal portion of the small intestine, and hence, penetrates into the bloodstream. Ascorbic acid is widely distributed to the cells of the body and is mainly present in the white blood cells (leukocytes). The ascorbic acid concentration in these cells is about 150 times its concentration in the plasma (150,151). Dehydroascorbic acid is the main form in the red blood cells (erythrocytes). White blood cells are involved in the destmction of bacteria. 

Section VI consists of discussions of eleven special topics nutrition, digestion, and absorption vitamins and minerals intracellular traffic and sorting of proteins glycoproteins the extracellular matrix muscle and the cy-toskeleton plasma proteins and immunoglobulins hemostasis and thrombosis red and white blood cells the metabolism of xenobiotics and the Human Genome Project. 

Chronic nitrous oxide abuse can remove a lot of vitamin B12 from the bloodstream. B12 (cobalamin) is necessary for the creation of blood cells and neurotransmitters, as well as the protective layers that cover nerves. This results in nerve damage and pain balancing, walking, and concentration difficulties mental impairment mood disturbances (such as depression) and other physical problems. Chronic nitrous oxide use may also interfere with the production in bone marrow of white blood cells and red blood cells. Treatment with intramuscular injections of B12 may reverse these symptoms. 

Other colourants in use are sunset yellow (Eiio), another synthetic azo dye, and caramel. Caramel colours are manufactured from sugars and are very widely used. This food colour has caused some concern due to effects in experimental animals, for example the reduction in the number of white blood cells in rats. This may be due to the effects of contaminants at the high doses given which may be enhanced by a reduced intake of vitamin B6 in the diet. Annatto and beta carotene are naturally occurring colourants, but in one study 26 per cent of patients with chronic urticaria were shown to react to annatto. 

TOXICITY An excess may interfere with the action of various hormones, with vitamin K and blood clotting, and with white blood cell functioning. 

The circulatory system contains a number of types of cells. Nearly half of the volume of whole blood consists of red blood cells whereas only about / of the blood consists of white blood cells. The function of the red blood cells is to transport ojtygeri to the tissues. White blood cells are part of the immune system. There are several types of white blood ceils neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes. Neutrophils are also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The smallest type of ceil in the bloodstream is the platelet. Platelets are used in the clotting of blood, as outlined under Vitamin K. 

In summary, DNA synthesis requires synthesis of dTMP and the purines adenine and guanine. THF, derived from the vitamin folic acid, is required for the biosynthesis of these nucleotides. Treatment with methotrexate blocks the cell s ability to regenerate THF, leading to inhibition of these biosynthetic pathways. The lack of nucleotides prevents DNA synthesis, and these cancer cells cannot divide without DNA synthesis. Unfortunately, the effects of methotrexate are nonspecific and other rapidly dividing cells such as epithelial cells in the oral cavity, intestine, skin, and blood cells are also inhibited. This leads to the side effects associated with methotrexate (and other cancer chemotherapy drugs) such as mouth sores, low white blood cell counts, stomach upset, hair loss, skin rashes, and itching. 

Fig. 3. Average vitamin C content of white blood cells of groups of volunteers receiving a daily supplement of 70, 10, or Omg vitamin C (vitamin C in basal diet about 1 mg daily). From Krebs (K17).

Nor is this all. Vitamin C is also taken up by white blood cells. When we are infected with bacteria, white blood cells called neutrophils mount the first defence. In the course of this defence, neutrophils vacuum up vitamin C from their surroundings, using miniature protein pumps in their membranes. The level of vitamin C inside the neutrophils increases tenfold within minutes, and if the infection persists, may reach 30 times the level of resting neutrophils, or 100 times that in plasma, even in someone taking massive oral supplements. 

Individuals who are at risk for copper deficiency include people who are recovering from abdominal surgery, which causes decreased absorption of copper from the intestine. Others at risk are premature babies and people who are sustained solely by intravenous feedings that are deficient in copper. In addition, people who ingest high doses of antacids or take excessive supplements of zinc, iron, or vitamin C can develop copper deficiency because of reduced copper absorption. Because copper is involved in so many processes in the body, it is not surprising that the symptoms of copper deficiency are many and diverse. They include anemia decreased red and white blood cell coimts heart disease increased levels of serum cholesterol loss of bone defects in the nervous system, im-mime system, and connective tissue and abnormal hair. 

Vitamin Bjj is a very important vitamin that is needed for the production of red and white blood cells and the normal growth and maintenance of nerve tissue. 

Green, M.H., Lowe, J.E., Waugh, A.P., Aldridge, K.E., Cole, J., and Arlett, C.F., Effect of diet and vitamin C on DNA strand breakage in freshly isolated human white blood cells, Mutat Res., 316, 91,1994. 

When your blood is drawn, for example, the doctors use techniques borrowed from analytical chemistry to determine levels of several analytes in your body, including cholesterol, vitamins, glucose, and white blood cells. Analysis of tissue samples and other biological fluids is also based on analytical techniques. Other examples of medically related applications include tests for illegal drugs and steroids, glucose sensors used by diabetic patients, or to check for toxic substances in your body if you are exposed to hazardous chemicals. 

B Vitamins Vitamin considered the master vitamin, is known to be in-volved in 60 enzymatic reactions, many in the metabolism and synthesis of proteins. It is also needed for the synthesis of hemoglobin and the white blood cells of the immune system. Consuming more than 60 times the recommended daily quantity of vitamin Bg causes nerve damage, and in huge doses (2—6 g per day) it can cause paralysis. 

Diagnostic tests Measuns vitamin C in white blood cells ( buffy coat )... 

This blood fraction contains white blood cells and platelets. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is carried mainly in the white blood cells and so its measurement in the buffy layer gives an indication of the vitamin C status of the body. 

RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE OF VITAMIN C. Many studies have been conducted to determine the human vitamin C requirements. Consideration has been given to the effect of age, environment, physical exertion, infections, and fevers. Also, various measurements for determining the adequacy of vitamin C have been devised, including (1) the daily intake of vitamin C necessary to prevent the symptoms of scurvy (2) the amount of vitamin C required to saturate whole blood, blood plasma, white blood cells, or body tissue and (3) the intake of vitamin C necessary to maintain blood and urinary ascorbic acid levels within normal range. The results of these studies vary widely. 

The cytological abnormalities which occur in megaloblastic anemia are similar regardless of whether the primary defect is in folate or vitamin 62 2 status. A marked leukopenia is observed in peripheral blood smears and there are many morphologic abnormalities in red and white blood cell precursors in the bone marrow. Megaloblastic white cell precursors display nuclear-cytoplasmic asynchronism which suggests deranged DNA synthesis. 

The working hypothesis used to explain the common effects of folate and Bjl2 deficiency in the production of megaloblastic anemia is the interference with folate-mediated one carbon turnover. Therefore, it is impossible to discuss the role of vitamin B12 in leukocyte function without consideration of its role in regeneration of reduced folate coenzymes. A role for vitamin B12 in the transport of folate into white blood cells has been postulated. Tissen and Herbert (1973) found impaired transport of Me THF (but not PGA) into bone marrow cells from patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. The THF uptake was also reduced in PHA stimulated peripheral lymphocytes from patients with pernicious anemia (Lavoie et al. 1974). In both cases cellular uptake of Me-THF was increased by the vitro addition of the vitamin to the culture media. Lavoie et al. also found a reduced transfer of the methyl group to non folate compounds in peripheral lymphocytes from vitamin B12 deficient subjects. It is possible that vitamin B12 is not directly involved with the entry of folates into the cell but the impaired transport could reflect a pile up of Me-THF inside the cell due to reduced use. 

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