Erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) activation test is the most accepted procedure for assessing the status of:

Correct option is B

The Erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) activation test is used primarily to assess riboflavin (vitamin B2) status in the body. Riboflavin acts as a coenzyme in various redox reactions, including the enzyme glutathione reductase found in red blood cells (erythrocytes). The test measures the activity of glutathione reductase before and after adding flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), the active form of riboflavin. A significant increase in enzyme activity after FAD addition indicates riboflavin deficiency, making this test a sensitive functional indicator of the vitamin’s status.
Information Booster: Riboflavin is essential for energy metabolism and maintaining antioxidant defense systems by participating in oxidation-reduction reactions. Since it is water-soluble and cannot be stored in large amounts in the body, its deficiency can manifest quickly. The EGR activation test evaluates the functionality of riboflavin within erythrocytes, reflecting its availability where it is biologically active. This test is favored over simple biochemical assays because it reflects the functional effect of riboflavin deficiency on enzymes directly, making it a reliable method for nutritional assessment in clinical and field settings.
Additional Knowledge:
· (a) Thiamine: Status is commonly assessed by measuring erythrocyte transketolase activity, not EGR. Thiamine is vital for carbohydrate metabolism.
· (c) Niacin: Deficiency is assessed via urinary excretion of N-methylnicotinamide or plasma levels, unrelated to the EGR test. Niacin is crucial for NAD/NADP coenzymes.
· (d) Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): Status is evaluated through plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels or enzyme assays like aminotransferase activity, not by EGR.