B. L. Snider, D. Dieteman
Jul 1, 1974
Citations
0
Influential Citations
17
Citations
Journal
Archives of Dermatology
Abstract
To the Editor.— Pyridoxine hydrochloride therapy for the relief of premenstrual flare of acne is being used by clinicians, but no tabulation of results has been reported. This study was a direct approach, allowing the patient to evaluate the results of treatment compared to her prior menstrual flares. Pyridoxine is not only looked upon as a vitamin required for normal function, but it also functions as a coenzyme in the decarboxylation, transamination, and the deamination of most and perhaps all amino acids. In 1967, the association of depression with the use of oral contraceptives was noted and was accompanied by a dysfunction of tryptophan metabolism. 1-3 Next, Brown et al 4 noted that such tryptophan disturbances occur just before menstruation. Menstruation apparently creates a functional deficiency of pyridoxine, for the disturbance of tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway is corrected by giving supplementary pyridoxine. In the Schoch Letter of