Vitamin B-6 supplementation and theophylline-related effects in humans.
This study investigates whether vitamin B-6 supplementation reduces the stimulatory effects of theophylline (a pyridoxal kinase antagonist) on the nervous system. Twenty young, healthy adults entered this double-blind, randomized, crossover study but only 15 completed the experiment. The dependent measures were a battery of psychomotor tests, electrophysiological tests, and self-report questionnaires. Most tests, including spectral electroencephalography, aspects of the electromyograph, the Sternberg Test of information processing, and questionnaires of sleep quality and daytime sleepiness failed to distinguish between vitamin B-6 and placebo supplementation. However, theophylline-related tremor was markedly reduced (p < 0.01) with vitamin B-6 supplementation after a single dose of theophylline and a similar but nonsignificant trend was observed with repeated doses. There was a tendency for vitamin B-6 supplementation to reduce many side effects related to nervous system function. These findings suggest that vitamin B-6 supplementation with theophylline therapy may have some beneficial effects.
Department of Neurology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
P R
PR
Bartel
J B
JB
Ubbink
R
R
Delport
B P
BP
Lotz
P J
PJ
Becker
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate / Q000097:blood; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013806:Theophylline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced
D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D013806:Theophylline; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D011736:Pyridoxine