Abstract
In a preliminary uncontrolled trial, an oral vitamin B12 formulation (cyanocobalamin aminolate, trade name CobamaxTM) containing 600 μg vitamin B12 per day was administered to a small cohort of HIV + individuals, most of whom had been previously diagnosed with AIDS. Responses to a set of self-rated questionnaires suggested that the vitamin formulation was remarkably effective in moderating or resolving a broad range of AIDS-related symptoms, including fatigue, depression, night sweats, oral thrush, fevers, diminished appetite, gastrointestinal distress, impaired memory and concentration, pain in general and peripheral neuropathy. These preliminary results remain to be confirmed by additional studies.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Harriman GR, Smith PD, Horne MK et al. Malabsorption in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Arch Intern Med 1989;149:2039–2041.
Rule SAJ, Hooker M, Costello C et al. Serum vitamin B12 and transcobalamin levels in early HIV disease. Am J Hematol 1994;47:167–171.
Baum MK, Shor-Posner G, Lu Y et al. Micronutrients and HIV-1 disease progression. AIDS 1995;9:1051–1056.
Tang AM, Graham NMH, Chandra RK et al. Low serum vitamin B12 concentrations are associated with faster human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) disease progression. J Nutr 1997;127:345–351.
Weinberg JB, Sauls DL, Misukonis MA et al. Inhibition of productive human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection by cobalamins. Blood 1995;86:1281–1287.
Weinberg JB, Shugars DC, Sherman PA et al. Cobalamin inhibition of HIV-1 integrase and integration of HIV-1 DNA into cellular DNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1998;246:393–397.
Lake-Bakaar G, Elsakr M, Hagag N et al. Changes in parietal cell structure and function in HIV disease. Dig Dis Sci 1996;41:1398–1409.
Abu Khaled M, Watkins CL, Krumdieck CL. Inactivation of B12 and folate coenzymes by butyl nitrite as observed by NMR: implications on one-carbon transfer mechanism. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1986;135:201–207.
Haverkos HW, Drotman DP. NIDA technical review: nitrite inhalants. Biomed Pharmacother 1996;50:228–230.
Herbert V, Fong W, Guile V et al. Low holotranscobalamin II is the earliest serum marker for subnormal vitamin B12 (cobalamin) absorption in patients with AIDS. Am J Hematol 1990;34:132–139.
Sarill WJ, Brennan TF. Compositions containing cobalamin and amino acids. PCT WO9811900A2.
Kieburtz KD, Giang DW, Schiffer RB et al. Abnormal vitamin B12 metabolism in human immunodeficiency virus infection. Association with neurological dysfunction. Arch Neurol 1991;48:312–314.
Rabinoff M. Use of methyl donor compounds to treat neurological dysfunction associated with immune defects. US Patent 5,716,941, Feb. 10, 1998.
Beach RS, Morgan R, Wilkie F et al. Plasma vitamin B12 level as a potential cofactor in studies of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-related cognitive changes. Arch Neurol 1992;49:501–506.
Shor-Posner G, Morgan R, Wilkie F et al. Plasma cobalamin levels affect information processing speed in a longitudinal study of HIV-1 disease. Arch Neurol 1995;52:195–198.
Ellis FR, Nasser S. A pilot study of vitamin B12 in the treatment of tiredness. Br J Nutr 1973;30:277–283.
Hector M, Burton JR. What are the psychiatric manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency? J Am Geriatr Soc 1988;36:1105–1112.
Ikeda M, Asai M, Moriya T et al. Methylcobalamin amplifies melatonin-induced circadian phase shifts by facilitation of melatonin synthesis in the rat pineal gland. Brain Res 1998;795:98–104.
Yamatsu K, Kaneko T, Kitahara A et al. Pharmacological studies on degeneration and regeneration of peripheral nerves (I). Effects of methylcobalamin and of cobamide on EMG patterns and weight-loss of denervated muscles following crush of the sciatic nerve in rats. Folia Pharmacol Japon 1976;72:259–269 [Japanese].
Rizzuto N, Cavallaro T, Monaco S et al. Role of HIV in the pathogenesis of distal symmetric peripheral neuropathy. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 1995;90:244–250.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brennan, T.F., Sarill, W.J. & Norwood, C. Effects of an Oral Vitamin B12 Formulation on AIDS-Related Neuropathy and Other Symptoms: A Pilot Study . Journal of Advancement in Medicine 12, 97–117 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JAME.0000008702.16484.70
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JAME.0000008702.16484.70