Riboflavin deficiency caused by treatment with adriamycin.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether administration of adriamycin causes the depletion of riboflavin content. Rats received intraperitoneal injections of adriamycin (4 mg per kg body weight) for 6 consecutive days. Urinary riboflavin excretion began to increase after 2 days of treatment with adriamycin. Erythrocyte FAD levels decreased gradually and plasma lipid peroxide contents increased markedly at the 6th day. The activity coefficient of erythrocyte glutathione reductase showed a significant increase before the decrease of flavin content and the elevation of lipid peroxide level. Therefore, the value of this coefficient obtained from erythrocyte appears to be a reliable index of riboflavin deficiency, particularly during the early stage.