Hyperhomocysteinemia and functional cobalamin deficiency due to granulocytosis-induced alterations in the cobalamin-binding protein
Vlasveld, L.Thomas.; Bos, G.M.J.; Ermens, A.A.M.; Bakker, J.A.; Lindemans, J.
Haematologica 91(3): 394-396
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0390-6078 PMID: 16531264 Document Number: 597588
Serum cobalamin and homocysteine levels were studied in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CIVIL) and in stem cell donors treated with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Cytoreductive treatment in patients with CML resulted in a decrease of cobalamin and homocysteine levels. In stem cell donors cobalamin and homocysteine levels increased after G-CSF administration. The increase of homocysteine level was accompanied by a decrease in the serum levels of the cobalamin-binding protein transcobalamin. We hypothesize that the increased homocysteine levels in patients with CML and donors treated with G-CSF may be the result of a functional methylcobalamin deficiency due to decreased transcobalamin levels.