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Comparison of the effects of food and carbachol on the absorption of vitamin B12 after partial gastrectomy
Abstract
Absorption of radioactive vitamin B12 was measured by the Schilling procedure in 14 patients who had had a partial gastrectomy. Injection of carbachol (250 μg) before the administration of the test dose increased absorption to a much smaller degree than the ingestion of a light meal containing a minimal quantity of the natural vitamin. The results support the belief that food may improve absorption of vitamin B12 after partial gastrectomy by stimulating the secretion of a small residual amount of intrinsic factor.