[Metabolism of riboflavin and B group vitamins functionally bound to it in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus].

In 35 children of 9-13 years old with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus distinct alterations in metabolism of vitamin B2 were detected, which were manifested as elevated rate of riboflavin excretion with urine and a decrease in the vitamin content in erythrocytes, as 1.5-fold increase in activity of erythrocyte glutathione reductase and augmented affinity of erythrocyte glutathione reductase to exogenous FAD. Alterations in metabolism of riboflavin did not involve the vitamin deficiency as shown by analysis of vitamins B6 and PP (4-pyridoxic acid and I-methyl nicotinamide, respectively) excretion with urine as well as by study of the coenzymes content in blood of healthy and sick children with various rates of riboflavin consumption. Rates of 4-pyridoxic acid and I-methyl nicotinamide excretion with urine were similar both in healthy children of 9-13 years and in children of this age with diabetes mellitus. The data obtained suggest that rates of riboflavin consumption in patients with diabetes mellitus differed from those of healthy persons; these reasons should be taken into consideration in evaluation of vitamins B2 consumption in patients with diabetes mellitus.