Is Inflammation Status in Postbariatric Patients Predictive for Their Response to Vitamin B12 Supplementation Therapy?

Abstract

Background Several studies indicate that there is a relationship between vitamin B12 levels and inflammatory status. Some studies showed a significantly correlation between vitamin B12 status and inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of inflammatory status on the effect of different vitamin B12 supplementation regimes. Methods We selected patients with a vitamin B12 deficiency based on methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels. A moderate vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as an MMA blood level between ≥300 and 430 nmol/L. In included patients, C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocytes, serum vitamin B12, and MMA levels were measured at baseline and after 6 months of follow-up. Results A total of 63 patients were included, treated with 3, 6, or no intramuscular vitamin B12 injections. In the 6 intramuscular injections group, the presupplementation CRP levels significantly predicted the response in terms of vitamin B12 increase (P = 0.015). Also, there was a significant reduction in CRP levels (P = 0.03) after 6 injections. There was a significant correlation between presupplementation MMA and presupplementation CRP (r = 0.127, P = 0.049). Conclusion This study showed that presupplementation CRP levels significantly predicted the response on 6 intramuscular vitamin B12 injections in patients after bariatric surgery. Second, the 6 intramuscular injection regimen showed a significant reduction in CRP levels. Third, there was a significant correlation between MMA and presupplementation CRP. This might indicate that there is interplay between the vitamin B12 supplementation and inflammatory levels in patients after bariatric surgery.