The effect of oral contraceptives on the apparent vitamin B6status in some Sudanese women

Abstract

1. In vitro activation of erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase (EC2.6.1.1) activity by pyridoxal phosphate was used to assess vitamin B4nutritional status in forty Sudanese women taking combined, low-dose oral contraceptives (oestrogen-progestogen; OC) and in thirty healthy, non-pregnant women not taking OC.2. Fourteen (35%) out of forty OC users showed apparent vitamin B4deficiency.3. Side-effects associated with OC were more common among the apparently vitamin-B4-deficient OC users than among OC users and non-OC users not deficient in vitamin B4.