Article: Nitrous Oxide Review
Nitrous oxide irreversibly oxidizes the cobalt ion in reduced vitamin B12. This inactivates vitamin B12, which is essential for the function of methionine synthetase. Methionine synthetase is necessary for the transmethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Methionine is an essential amino acid and thus its deficiency results in impaired DNA synthesis. Methionine synthetase is also important for methylation of myelin. The result of impaired methylation includes paresthesias and ataxia. Psychological symptoms may also develop manifested as depression and memory loss.
