Oral Administration of Co 60 Vitamin B 12 in Pernicious Anemia. ∗

Abstract

Conclusions

Following oral administration of 1.0 μg of Co⁶⁰ vit. B.₁₂: 1. Seven normal persons excreted 12-59% of radioactive cobalt in the stool in 3-9 days. 2. No activity could be found in the urine of 2 normal subjects up to 8 days after ingestion of the vitamin. 3. Four patients with pernicious anemia in remission excreted 89-99% of the dose in the stool. 4. In 3 of these cases 2 mg of folic acid, 10 mg of folic acid for one week, 50 g of ventriculin, and 15 mg of intrinsic factor had no appreciable effect on the amount excreated. 5. In one case 2 mg of folic acid and 15 mg of intrinsic factor reduced the excretion of Co⁶⁰ about 40%, and 50 g of ventriculin cut the fecal activity about 25%. 6. In 3 Patients 2 g of aureomycin for one week had no effect and 150 cc of neutralized normal gastric juice reduced the fecal activity about 30%.