Restoration of decreased suppressor cells by vitamin B12 therapy in a patient with pernicious anemia.
A unique case of pernicious anemia is described. Initially, the percentage of OKT8-positive blood cells was markedly decreased, resulting in an increase in the OKT4/OKT8 ratio. The level of OKT8-positive blood cells was, however, returned to normal after vitamin B12 therapy. The finding may propose a possible role of the imbalance of blood lymphocyte subpopulations on the pathogenesis of pernicious anemia and also a responsibility of vitamin B12 for such a selective reduction in the OKT8-positive blood cells.
D000368:Aged; D000752:Anemia, Pernicious / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014805:Vitamin B 12