Ascorbic acid, vitamin A, folic acid, and amino acids in blood of patients
with hemophilia
L Toy, EA Young and JB Longenecker
Blood levels of ascorbic acid, vitamin A, folic acid, and amino acids were
studied in patients at the South Texas Comprehensive Hemophilia Center, San
Antonio, TX. The mean plasma ascorbic acid level in hemophiliacs was
significantly lower than controls (p less than 0.0001). This was observed
despite a dietary ascorbic acid intake in excess of 66% of the Recommended
Dietary Allowances (RDA). However, those subjects receiving specific factor
replacement therapy at home and consuming at least 66% RDA of ascorbic acid
maintained a mean plasma ascorbic acid level not significantly less than
controls. Hemophilic subjects not on home therapy, on the other hand, had a
mean plasma ascorbic acid level significantly below that of controls while
receiving optimal dietary ascorbic acid. With prompt adequate medical care
of bleeding episodes and with optimal nutrition, the demand for ascorbic
acid needed for tissue repair in hemophilic patients may be lessened.
Hemophiliacs had mean serum vitamin A, mean serum folate, and mean red cell
folate levels that were not significantly different from controls.
Significantly higher mean plasma arginine and lower, but not significantly
lower, mean plasma ornithine levels were found in hemophilic subjects,
suggesting altered arginase activity.
Volume 62,
Issue 3,
pp. 532-537,
09/01/1983
Copyright © 1983 by The American Society of Hematology
