Riboflavin nutritional status and absorption in oral contraceptive users and nonusers

Am J Clin Nutr. 1979 Oct;32(10):2047-51. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/32.10.2047.

Abstract

Riboflavin nutritional status, based on erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) determinations, and the absorption of the vitamin after 10-mg oral doses were assessed in a group of oral contraceptive users (group OC, n = 18) and in a group of nonusers (group NOC, n = 17). Before administration of test doses of riboflavin, mean EGR levels of 4.06 (group OC) and 4.44 (group NOC) mumoles glutathione reduced per minute per gram of hemoglobin were not significantly different. After oral administration of riboflavin, a significant increase in EGR levels was observed within each group although no significant differences were detected between groups. Mean EGR levels continued to be slightly lower for group OC compared to group NOC. Oral absorption of riboflavin based on urinary excretion results was not significantly different between the groups. These findings indicate OC use does not significantly affect riboflavin nutritional status in a subject population having adequate nutrition of moderate to high socioeconomic status. Significant reductions in EGR levels which have been previously reported for OC users appear to be associated with a low socioeconomic status.

PIP: Riboflavin nutritional status and its oral absorption was investigated in 2 groups of women -- a group of 18 oral contraceptive (OC) users and a control group of 17 women. The riboflavin nutrition status was based on erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) determinations. Prior to administration of test doses of riboflavin, mean EGR levels of 4.96 (OC group) and 4.44 (control group) umoles glutathione reduced per minute per gram of hemoglbin were not significantly different. After oral administration of riboflavin, there was a significant increase in EGR levels within each group but no significant differences between groups. Mean EGR levels continued to be slightly lower for the OC group compared to the control group. Oral absorption of riboflavin based on urinary excretion results was not significantly different between the groups. The findings indicate that OC use does not significantly affect riboflavin nutritional status in a subject population of moderate to high socioeconomic status that has adequate nutrition. The significant reductions in EGR levels which have been previously reported for OC users seem to be associated with a low socioeconomic status.

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Adult
  • Contraceptives, Oral / pharmacology*
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / pharmacology*
  • Erythrocytes / enzymology
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Glutathione Reductase / blood*
  • Humans
  • Progestins / pharmacology
  • Riboflavin / metabolism*
  • Riboflavin / urine

Substances

  • Contraceptives, Oral
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
  • Estrogens
  • Progestins
  • Glutathione Reductase
  • Riboflavin