Action of Vitamin B₁₂, Folic Acid and Liver Extracts on the Free Protoporphyrin Content of Red Blood Cells

Abstract

THE different behaviour of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin in secondary and iron-deficiency anæmias on one hand, and in Addison's anæmia on the other, is well known. In anæmias of the first types, the free protoporphyrin in the red cells increases markedly up to values of several hundreds of micrograms per 100 ml. of red cells, returning to the normal value (20–40 µgm.) on remission of the anæmia. In untreated Addison's disease, on the contrary, the concentration of the pigment is diminished, but increases considerably under appropriate treatment. We thought that this particular behaviour of the free protoporphyrin of the erythrocytes in pernicious anæmia was due to a deficiency in the synthesis of this pigment, a deficiency determined by the lack of antipernicious factors.