Serum homocysteine, B12 and folic acid concentration in Thai overweight and obese subjects

This study investigated levels of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, in 37 male and 112 female overweight and obese Thai volunteers (body mass index; BMI > or = 25.00), and 23 male and 90 female normal-weight Thai volunteers, who came for a physical check-up at the Out-patient Department, General Practice Section, Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok from March to October of 2000. Data included anthropometric measurements and waist/hip ratios. All anthropometric variables, except height, were significantly higher for the overweight subjects than for the normal subjects. Statistically significantly higher levels of serum homocysteine were found in the overweight subjects. Serum homocysteine concentrations in overweight and obese males were significantly higher than in overweight and obese females. Serum folic acid and vitamin C in the overweight and obese were found to be statistically significantly lower than in the control subjects. No statistically significant difference in vitamin B12 was found in the overweight and obese subjects compared with the normal control subjects. The medians of serum folic acid and vitamin C concentrations for the overweight and obese males were significantly lower than those of the overweight and obese females. A negative correlation was found between serum folic acid and homocysteine concentrations in all overweight and obese subjects. A significant negative correlation between serum folic acid and vitamin B6 was observed in both male and female overweight and obese subjects. The results of the investigation suggest that homocysteine levels in overweight and obese subjects seem to be caused by insufficient dietary folic acid intake and probably not by B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B-12 metabolism in HIV-infected patients in the age of highly active antiretroviral therapy: role of homocysteine in assessing vitamin B-12 status

BACKGROUND

Before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), 20% and 10% of HIV-infected patients had low vitamin B-12 and red blood cell folate (RBCF) concentrations, respectively. However, few patients had real vitamin B-12 deficiency.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the prevalence of low vitamin B-12 and RBCF concentrations in HIV-infected patients receiving HAART and the usefulness of serum homocysteine (sHcy) for differentiating patients with deficiency from those with harmlessly low vitamin B-12.

DESIGN

The prevalence of low vitamin B-12 and RBCF was evaluated in 126 HIV-infected patients receiving HAART. Moreover, sHcy concentrations were evaluated in 40 HIV-infected patients with low vitamin B-12 and in 37 HIV-infected patients with low RBCF and were compared with those in 128 HIV-infected patients with normal vitamin B-12 and RBCF. sHcy was used to monitor treatment with vitamin B-12 and folic acid in 28 patients (24 with low vitamin B-12 and RBCF and 4 with hyperhomocysteinemia but normal vitamin B-12 and RBCF).

RESULTS

The prevalence of low vitamin B-12 was significantly lower in patients receiving HAART than in previously studied patients who did not receive HAART (8.7% compared with 27%). Nine of the 40 patients (22.5%) with low vitamin B-12 (< or = 200 pmol/L) had hyperhomocysteinemia (> 17.5 micromol homocysteine/L). Nineteen (51.4%) of the 37 patients with low RBCF (< or = 580 nmol/L, percentile 10) had hyperhomocysteinemia. Among the 9 patients with an RBCF concentration < or = 450 nmol/L (percentile 2.5), all had hyperhomocysteinemia. The treatment with vitamin B-12 and folic acid normalized sHcy concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of low vitamin B-12 decreased after the introduction of HAART. The study of sHcy is useful for detecting HIV-infected patients with low vitamin B-12 and real deficiency.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and B-Vitamin Deficiencies in Infants and Children

Measurement of total homocysteine (tHcy) in healthy and diseased children has documented the utility of this marker in pediatric research and diagnostics. This article focuses on novel data obtained in infants, children and adolescents, with emphasis on cobalamin status in infants. In children, determinants of plasma tHcy are similar to those established in adults, and include age, gender, nutrition, B-vitamin status, and some drugs interfering with B-vitamin function. In infants (age < 1 year), tHcy is moderately elevated and related to serum cobalamin, whereas in older children and throughout childhood, plasma tHcy is low (about 60% of adult levels), and folate status becomes a strong tHcy determinant. As in adults, hyperhomocysteinemia in childhood is a risk factor for stroke, and folate-responsive hyperhomocysteinemia has been detected in children with renal failure. tHcy seems to be a sensitive indicator of folate deficiency in children on a poor diet, in HIV-infected children, and in children treated with anti-folate drugs. In children at increased risk of cobalamin deficiency, which includes children born to vegetarian mothers or children in developing countries on a poor diet, tHcy and methylmalonic acid are responsive indicators of a deficiency state. In newborns and infants born to mothers with an adequate nutrition, there are consistent observations of low cobalamin, elevated tHcy and methylmalonic acid, and reduction of both metabolites by cobalamin supplementation. These data have raised the question whether cobalamin deficiency may be widespread and undetected in babies born to non-vegetarian women on a Westernized diet.

Severe folate deficiency mimicking HELLP syndrome--report of two cases

Severe folate deficiency in pregnancy may mimick HELLP syndrome as there are similar features in both. Proper diagnosis is important as far as the prognosis and management are concerned. Two cases of severe folate deficiency occuring in multigravid women mimicking HELLP syndrome are reported below with review of literature.

Hematologic abnormalities in recurrent oral ulceration

The aim of this study was to analyse the hematologic status in patients with recurrent oral ulceration (ROU). Twenty-three patients with ROU and 19 control subjects were examined consecutively for hematological abnormalities including serum folate, red cell folate and vitamin B12 levels. Their complete blood counts, hemoglobin typing, serum and red cell folate and serum vitamin B12 levels were studied. Low red cell folate levels were found in 11 out of 23 patients (47.83%) with ROU. They were defined as having folate deficiency (n=5), folate deficient erythropoiesis (n=1), and folate depletion (n=5). The serum and red cell folate levels in the control group were within normal range. There was a statistically significant low red cell folate in the ROU compared to the control group (p=0.000). The serum vitamin B12 levels were within normal range in both ROU and control groups. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations were in the normal range in both groups and none had anemia or macrocytosis.

[Myelosis funicularis as a result of secondary vitamin B12 deficiency in a 9-year-old girl]

A nine-year-old girl without aggravating family history or adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcome, who underwent a resection of the end section of the small bowel as a result of atresia in the first twenty four hours of her life, was admitted to the Department on account of spastic paresis of the lower extremities. Apathy and tiredness appeared the most striking features on the physical examination of the child; likewise the pale colour of skin and a scar on the abdomen integuments--a result of the resection. Neurological examination revealed pyramidal syndrome from the lower extremities, disturbed sense of balance with intensified with closed eyes, and deep sensibility disorders. Megaloblastic anaemia was revealed on further examination, while bone marrow image showed normoblastic erythropoiesis with the presence of megaloid cells. The extremely low level of vitamin B12 in the blood serum and a regular level of folic acid were found. The vitamin B12 absorption test (Schilling test) showed considerable impairment in the process. The inflammation of the esophagus and duodenum mucosa was confirmed in a histopathological examination. Furthermore, irregular result of somatosensory induced potentials (SEP) and conductivity test revealed some characteristics of axonal--demyelinating neuropathy in the lower extremities. MRI of the head and spinal cord was correct. The diagnostics excluded methylomalonic acidosis, multiple sclerosis and other causes of ataxia in children. The overall clinical picture, that is megaloblastic anaemia, the characteristics of the myelosis funicularis and interview data--resection of the bowel as well as other examinations confirmed that the observed disorders resulted from the impairment of vitamin B12 absorption. An appropriate treatment consisted of supplementation of vitamin B12 (intramuscular) and folic acid (orally) improved the neurological condition and hematologic parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to monitor hematologic parameters and the neurologic condition in the group of children who underwent the resection of the ileum in infancy. If vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms occur, appropriate treatment should be duly applied.

Preconception folate and vitamin B(6) status and clinical spontaneous abortion in Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between preconception homocysteine and B vitamin status and risk of clinical spontaneous abortion in women from Anqing, China.

METHODS

All women were aged 21-34 years, had never smoked, and were primigravid. Patients (n = 49) were women with a clinically recognized pregnancy who experienced a fetal death before 100 days' gestation. Controls (n = 409) were women who maintained a pregnancy that ended in a live birth. Homocysteine, folate, and vitamins B(6) and B(12) concentrations were measured in plasma obtained before conception.

RESULTS

Mean vitamin B(6) concentration was lower in patients than in controls (34.0 versus 37.9 nmol/L, P =.04). In addition, the risk of spontaneous abortion tended to increase with decreasing plasma vitamin B(6) and folate concentration (P for trend =.06 and.07, respectively), although the significance of these trends was further reduced in logistic models that included age, body mass index, and both vitamins. The risk of spontaneous abortion was four-fold higher among women with suboptimal plasma concentrations of both folate and vitamin B(6) (folate less than or equal to 8.4 nmol/L and vitamin B(6) less than or equal to 49 nmol/L) than in those with higher plasma concentrations of both vitamins (odds ratio 4.1, 95% confidence interval 1.2, 14.4). Homocysteine and vitamin B(12) status were not associated with spontaneous abortion risk.

CONCLUSION

Suboptimal preconception folate and vitamin B(6) status, especially when they occur together, may increase the risk of clinical spontaneous abortion. Additional prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine whether antenatal B vitamin supplementation reduces spontaneous abortion risk.

Iron and vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia in a vegetarian: a diagnostic approach by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay

This article presents the case of a 46-year-old vegetarian who had a painful dry socket in the left third molar areas. Since the patient's general appraisal was anaemic, investigations for haematological status, folic acid and vitamin B12 were performed. The results revealed that the patient was severely iron deficient and slightly vitamin B12 deficient.

Physiology of folic acid in health and disease

Folates are important cofactors in the transfer and utilization of one-carbon-groups and play a key role in the remethylation of methionine thus providing essential methyl groups for numerous biological reactions. Furthermore, folates donate one-carbon units in the process of DNA-biosynthesis with implications for the regulation of gene expression, transcription, chromatine structure, genomic repair and genomic stability. As the role of folate deficiency in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, in congenital defects and carcinogenesis has become better understood, folate has been recognized as having great potential to prevent these many disorders through folate supplementation for the general population. Folate acts directly to produce antioxidant effects, interactions with enzyme endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and effects on cofactor bioavailability of NO. Folate acts indirectly to lower homocysteine levels and insure optimal functioning of the methylation cycle. Folate metabolism provides an interesting example of gene-environmental interaction. A great part of the population, especially subgroups with higher demand, appears to have suboptimal folate intake, as determined through more sensitive parameters now widely determined. The available data strongly suggest that criteria for "folate deficiency" may have to be redefined.

Folate and Vitamin B(12) deficiency presenting as pancytopenia in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

We present a case of extreme pancytopenia in a 27-year-old pregnant woman. The initial picture was compatible with a severe hematological problem in the category of aplastic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria or even acute leukemia. The further biochemical investigations revealed, however, a folate deficiency. Nowadays this is a very rare cause of pancytopenia. Next to this she also had a Vitamin B(12) deficiency due to intrinsic factor failure. The recent literature is discussed.

Uracil in human DNA from subjects with normal and impaired folate status as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and selective method for determination of the uracil content in human DNA was first developed on the basis of high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Uracil was excised from DNA using uracil DNA glycosylase. The released uracil was derivatized with 4-bromomethyl-7-methoxycoumarin, thereby forming bis-N,N'-(4-methylene-7-methoxycoumaryl)-uracil (uracil-MMC). 15N2-Uracil was used as an internal standard. The analytes were separated on an Adsorbsphere XL ODS column. A SCIEX API III tandem mass spectrometer equipped with a turbo ion-spray interface was used as the detector. Multiple reaction monitoring using the parent --> product ion combinations of m/z 489 --> 232 and 491 --> 233 were used to detect uracil-MMC and the internal standard, respectively. The detection limit for this assay is <1.0 x 10(-10) mol/L uracil, and the linearity is from 1.0 x 10(-10) to 2.5 x 10(-6) mol/L. The method was used for determination of uracil in human DNA. Our data show that the uracil levels in human DNA isolated from peripheral white blood cells did not differ between subjects with folate deficiency and subjects with normal red cell folate levels.

[Folate/cobalamin in the elderly--deficiency symptoms are common and difficult to catch]

Elderly persons are especially exposed to folate deficiency, whereas normal/subnormal folate levels do not exclude tissue deficiency. Accompanying diseases, medication, and life style factors may contribute to/cause deficiency. Among available determinants of folate/cobalamin state homocysteine is a swift and sensitive marker. Symptoms of deficiency can be haematological, neurological or neuropsychiatric but there are probably also cardio-vascular manifestations. The association is generally stronger between homocysteine levels and symptoms than between vitamin-related levels and symptoms. The duration and the severity of symptoms are of importance for the improvement of neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms when substitution is performed. The physician should make an individualized investigation to establish the probable cause, where nutritional factors and atrophic gastritis are most prominent. Folate enriched food as well as multivitamin supplementation are reported to be safe and beneficial for blood folate and homocysteine normalisation.

Effect of total plasma homocysteine on cervical dysplasia risk

We investigated whether total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) is associated with risk for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). tHcy was evaluated, along with numerous risk factors for CIN and biochemical indexes of nutrients, in a previously reported study population of 294 subjects with CIN and 170 female controls without CIN. tHcy was significantly higher in cases than in controls (9.1 vs. 8.3 mumol/l, p = 0.002). Human papillomavirus type 16 infection [odds ratio (OR) = 6.7], oral contraceptive use (OR = 6.0), parity (OR = 2.2), and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.9) were significantly associated with CIN after adjustment for each other and for age, number of sexual partners, and plasma tHcy, folate, iron, and zinc. Human papillomavirus type 16 positivity increased risk for CIN more when tHcy was > 9.12 mumol/l (OR = 4.7) than when it was < or = 9.12 mumol/l (OR = 3.0). Cigarette use increased risk for CIN when tHcy was > 9.12 mumol/l (OR = 3.9), but not when tHcy was < or = 9.12 mumol/l (OR = 1.5). Parity increased risk for CIN more when tHcy was > 9.12 mumol/l (OR = 4.0) than when tHcy was < or = 9.12 mumol/l (OR = 2.0). These results suggest that elevated plasma tHcy is a risk factor for cervical dysplasia and that it enhances the effects of other risk factors. It is unknown whether tHcy is serving as a marker of folate deficiency or is acting through other mechanisms.

Homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels in pregnant Nepali women. Should cobalamin supplementation be considered?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels as markers of functional cobalamin and folate status in pregnant Nepali women.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.

SUBJECTS

A sub-sample (n=382) of all pregnant women (n=2856) coming for their first antenatal visit in a 12 month period, 1994-1995. The selection of the sub-sample was based on maternal haematocrit values, categorised into three groups: severely, moderately and non-anaemic women. As serum levels of total homocysteine (s-tHcy) and methylmalonic acid (s-MMA) were similar in the three groups, pooled data are presented. Women who had already received micronutrient supplementation (n=54) were excluded. The remaining women (n=328) were included in the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Overall mean values (+/-s.d.) of s-tHcy and s-MMA were 9.5 (+/-4.2) micromol/l and 0.39 (+/-0.32) micromol/l, respectively. Elevated s-tHcy (>7.5 micromol/l) was found in 68% of the women, while 61% had elevated s-MMA (>0.26 micromol/l). Low s-cobalamin values (<150 pmol/l) were observed in 49% of the women, while only 7% had low s-folate values (< or =4.5 nmol/l). s-tHcy was significantly correlated with s-MMA (r=0.28, P<0.001), s-cobalamin (r=-0.30, P<0.001) and s-folate (r=-0.24, P<0.001). s-MMA was significantly associated with s-cobalamin (r=-0.40, P<0.001), but not with s-folate.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional cobalamin deficiency was very common in the study population, while functional folate deficiency was rather uncommon. We suggest considering cobalamin supplementation to pregnant Nepali women.

SPONSORSHIP

The Norwegian Research Council and the Norwegian Universities Committee for Development, Research and Education.

The utility of laboratory screening in medically III patients with psychiatric symptoms

The presence of psychiatric illness in general hospital medical inpatients can complicate a patient's clinical course. Currently, there is no standard laboratory work-up recommended for this patient population. To begin to assess the utility of a routine panel of tests, the results of serum vitamin B12 (cobalamin) levels, folate levels, thyroid stimulating hormone levels, and syphilis serology of 349 patients were reviewed. These patients had been admitted to the hospital for nonpsychiatric conditions but either had preexisting psychiatric disturbances or developed a mood spectrum disorder or cognitive spectrum disorder during their hospitalization. The incidence of vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies in these patients was found to be higher than has been reported for the general population. Thus, routine screening for these vitamin deficiencies may be indicated because of their prevalence in this patient population.