Low plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate levels in children with the nephrotic syndrome

Of 35 children with the nephrotic syndrome in relapse, 88% were found to have low circulating plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) levels. Remission of the syndrome was associated with spontaneous normalization of plasma PLP levels in 23 such children. A significant (P less than 0,001) positive correlation (r = 0,81) was found between plasma albumin and PLP levels and a significant (P less than 0,001) negative correlation (r = -0,66) between plasma PLP and serum cholesterol levels. The low plasma PLP levels may be due to enhanced urinary excretion of albumin-bound PLP in view of the severe proteinuria which characterizes the nephrotic syndrome.