Erythrocyte Pyridoxine Kinase Levels in Patients with Sideroblastic Anemia

IT has been suggested that a substantial number of patients with either idiopathic acquired or alcoholic sideroblastic anemia lack the enzyme, pyridoxine kinase, in their red blood cells.1 , 2 Therefore, such patients were thought to be unable to convert the naturally occurring vitamer of vitamin B6, pyridoxal, to its active coenzyme form, pyridoxal phosphate, which is needed for heme synthesis. Administration of pyridoxal phosphate to such patients was claimed to improve their anemia.3 We have now reinvestigated the putative existence of pyridoxine kinase deficiency in alcoholic and nonalcoholic patients with sideroblastic anemia, using a recently developed, improved method for . . .