Methylcobalamin
Methylcobalamin is a form of Vitamin B12, and is also written as MeCB1 or MeB12. It is one of four Cobalamin compounds that the human body is able to metabolize. A cobalamin compound contains a central cobalt ion, with one of four particular groups attached to its upper ligand. This can be cyanide, hydroxide, adenosine, or a methyl group.
All Vitamin B12 compounds are soluble in water and naturally occurring forms of B12 such as methylcobalamin are produced by bacteria. These bacteria are present in the human liver, but the cobalamin compounds produced there are not usable by the body, and are flushed out with feces. In order to obtain the required amount of Vitamin B12 from the dietary sources, humans must consume animal products.
Methylcobalamin plays an important role in the environment. In the environment, it is responsible for the biomethylation of certain heavy metals. Methylcobalamin injectables are a kind of endogenous coenzyme B12. Mecobalamin plays an important role in transmethylation as a coenzyme in the synthesis of methionine from homocysteine. Mecobalamin is well transported to nerve cell organelles, and promotes nucletic acid and protein synthesis.
Methylcobalamin has been studied in conjunction with sleep wake rhythm disorders, where it appears to yield benefits. Supplementation with mega doses of methylcobalamin has been advocated to protect the cognitive function of patients suffering chronic fatigue syndrome, stroke, depression, Alzheimers disease and other neurological diseases. The rational is that methylcobalamin may help to remove brain damaging levels of the neurotransmiter glutamate. Methylcobalamin has reported to have been used to reduce neurotoxicity and lower excess glutamate levels, resulting in the reduction of fatigue, stabilization of mood, improvement of memory and executive function.
Methylcobalamin is a natural form of Vitamin B12, a basic member of the cobalamin family of compounds. Methylcobalamin is the form of vitamin B12 produced by many bacteria which are used to produce the vitamin commercially. Like other forms of vitamin B12, methylcobalamin is not in a form normally found in the body, but it is easily converted in the body to usable coenzymes forms of Vitamin B12. Pharmaceutically, methylcobalamin is usually produced as a sterile injectables solution, and is used for treatment of the Vitamin deficiency. This injection formulation appears as a clear, dark-red solution.
Ther are many formulations of Vitamin B12 Injectables available in the market.
Methylcobalamin, Cyanocobalamin, Cobalamin, Adenosylcobalamin,
Hydroxocobalamin, and Hydroxycyanocobalamin.
Methylcobalamin may exert its neuro preotective effects through enhanced methylation, acceleration of nerve cell growth, or its ability to promote healthy homocysteine levels. For methylcobalamin to be available to the brain, it should be allowed to dissolve under the tongue or be taken by injection.
Methylcobalamin injection USP is used to rectify the following causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Methylcobalamin, Cyanocobalamin, Cobalamin, Adenosylcobalamin,
Hydroxocobalamin, and Hydroxycyanocobalamin.
Methylcobalamin may exert its neuro preotective effects through enhanced methylation, acceleration of nerve cell growth, or its ability to promote healthy homocysteine levels. For methylcobalamin to be available to the brain, it should be allowed to dissolve under the tongue or be taken by injection.
Methylcobalamin injection USP is used to rectify the following causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
· Pernicious anemia
· Dietary deficiency of vitamin B12 occurring in strict vegetarians, and in their breastfed infants.
· Mal-absorption of vitamin B12 resulting from structural or functional damage to the stomach where intrinsic factor is secreted or to the ileum where intrinsic factor facilitates vitamin B12 absorption. (These conditions include tropical sprue and nontropical sprue.
· Inadequate secretion of intrinsic factor, resulting from lesions that destroy the gastric mucosa (ingestion of corrosive and a number of conditions associated with a variable degree of gastric atrophy) Total gastrectomy always produces vitamin B12 deficiency.
