[Methods and their evaluation in the determination of vitamin B6 status in man. 2. alpha-SGOT: reliability of the...

Some factors, which are primary independent of the vitamin B6-uptake have influence on the maximum and/or the basis activity of the EGOT and thereby finally on the alpha-value. There is a negative correlation between the age of the test persons and both the maximum and the basis activity. An insufficient supply with protein leads to lowered maximum activities, but we could not estimate a correlation between EGOT+ and protein-intake when adequate. Influences of oral contraceptives as well an enzyme induction caused by long-term high vitamin B6-uptake can not confidently be excluded. Specific differences between the enzyme activities of men and women are scarcely probable. EGOT+ and EGOT- are lowered by chronic alcohol abuse. A short-term load with alcohol does not change the results. Oral contraceptives as well as the vitamin B2 status have little if any influence on the enzyme activities. Our results show, that because of the various possible influences a single determination of the alpha-value is a doubtfull parameter to assess the vitamin B6 status of men. Only the observation of the alteration of the individual alpha-value during deficiency and substitution tests, considering at the same time some essential incidentals, can lead to well-founded statements.