Cobalt - Blood Chemistry

Cobalt By: Mary Joy Ching

Trace Elements • they are metallic or non-metallic minerals • also known as micronutrients and are found only in minute quantities in the body – yet they are vitally important. • Ex. • Iron • Copper • Zinc

Ultratrace Elements • is a chemical element that normally comprises less than one microgram per gram of a given organism. • Ex. • • • • • • •

Cobalt Chromium Fluoride Manganese Molybdenum Selenium Iodine

Cobalt • a trace element mineral whose main function is in vitamin B12 • is found in all cells but occurs in large quantities in bone marrow where it is required for the production of red blood cells. • it was thought that cobalt in humans was found only as a constituent of vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

Cobalt • It is an integral part of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), which is necessary for myelin formation • an insulating layer found around nerves, to supports red blood cell production, and it is also essential for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, the synthesis of proteins, and the conversion of folate to its active form. • The average adult body contains: • 2 to 5 mg of Vitamin B12 » usually found in the liver.

Vitamin B12 • is a water soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of – Brain – Nervous system – Erythropoiesis • It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body • DNA regulation and synthesis • Fatty acid synthesis • Cyanocobalamin is an especially common vitamer of the B-12 vitamin family. • Famous among the vitamer family

Recommendation • No RDA or Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake has been set for cobalt.

Dietary Source • Dietary sources of cobalt are the same as vitamin B12, such as – fermented foods where the bacteria produce the vitamin – Organ meats are the best source of vitamin B12 (liver, kidney, heart, and pancreas), – Seafood (clams, oysters) – extra-lean beef – Eggs – Milk – Yogurt – Chicken – Cheese – miso (a fermented soybean product).

Clinical Manifestation • Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with hematologic, neurologic, and psychiatric manifestations • common cause of – Normochromic macrocytic Megaloblastic anemia – pancytopenia. – Paresthesias – Peripheral neuropathy – Demyelination of corticospinal tract and the dorsal column

Toxicity Characteristic • Gastrointestinal Function • Cardiomyopathy Reference Value • 0.11 – 0.45 ug/ml

Others… • Since the primary sources of vitamin B12 in the diet are animal products • vegetarians have a high risk of developing B12 deficiency. • Therefore, it is recommended to supplement in order to prevent the vitamin B12 deficiency.

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Intrinsic factor – is a glycoprotein produced by the parietal cells of the stomach . It is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 Pernicious anemia – is a form of megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B-12 deficiency, caused by impaired absorption of vitamin B-12 due to the immune destruction of intrinsic factor in the setting of atrophic gastritis, and more specifically of loss of gastric parietal cells. Megaloblastic anemia – is an anemia (of macrocytic classification) which results from inhibition of DNA synthesis in red blood cell production.[1] This is often due to deficiency of vitamin B12 and/or folic acid. Folic acid and folate – are forms of the water-soluble vitamin B9, essential to numerous bodily functions ranging from nucleotide biosynthesis to the remethylation of homocysteine. It is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth.