The effect of vitamin supplementation upon antipyrine metabolism in the elderly.

Abstract

1 Antipyrine plasma half‐life and clearance rates were studied in 19 elderly patients shortly after admission to a geriatric ward and again 2 weeks after a course of dietary supplementation with Vitamins A, B complex, C and D. 2 Antipyrine half‐life fell and clearance increased in the nine who had sub‐clinical evidence of ascorbic acid deficiency. No correlation was found with other indices of nutritional status. 3 Vitamin supplementation in elderly people with no demonstrable deficiencies did not alter the metabolism of antipyrine.