Changes in biochemical indices of vitamin nutrition in women using oral contraceptives during treatment with "Surbex 500"

Abstract

A study was conducted on 10 healthy young women who had taken oral contraceptives of the combined type for several cycles. Daily treatment was instituted with a high-potency vitamin B complex with vitamin C ("Surbex 500"). Blood specimens were collected before and after treatment with this vitamin supplement and plasma levels of ascorbic acid and vitamin B12 were measured. Activity of red cell aspartate amino-transferase (AST) was determined before and after the in vitro addition of excess pyridoxal phosphate, and of glutathione reductase (GTR) before and after the in vitro addition of excess flavin adenine dinucleotide. Women taking oral contraceptives showed plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid and vitamin B 12 below the range seen in a matched group of untreated women, while red cell AST and GTR were less saturated by their essential co-factors. Daily treatment with"Surbex 500" restored all four biochemical indices of vitamin nutrition to the normal ranges.