Pharmacology · single question
Chronic or recreational nitrous oxide exposure is associated with deficiency/inactivation of:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
- A. Correct. Nitrous oxide irreversibly oxidizes the cobalt in vitamin B12, inactivating it; chronic exposure causes B12 deficiency with neurologic (subacute combined degeneration) and hematologic effects.
- B. Nitrous oxide does not deplete vitamin C.
- C. It does not directly deplete iron.
- D. Folate metabolism is affected indirectly via B12, but the direct target is vitamin B12.