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O'Connor DL, Blake J, Bell R, Bowen A, Callum J, Fenton S, Gray-Donald K, Rossiter M, Adamo K, Brett K, Khatri N, Robinson N, Tumback L, Cheung A. Canadian Consensus on Female Nutrition: Adolescence, Reproduction, Menopause, and Beyond. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2016; 38:508-554.e18. [PMID: 27368135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To provide health care professionals in Canada with the basic knowledge and tools to provide nutrition guidance to women through their lifecycle. OUTCOMES Optimal nutrition through the female lifecycle was evaluated, with specific focus on adolescence, pre-conception, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and beyond. The guideline begins with an overview of guidance for all women, followed by chapters that examine the evidence and provide recommendations for the promotion of healthy nutrition and body weight at each life stage. Nutrients of special concern and other considerations unique to each life stage are discussed in each chapter. EVIDENCE Published literature, governmental and health agency reports, clinical practice guidelines, grey literature, and textbook sources were used in supporting the recommendations made in this document. VALUES The quality of evidence was rated using the criteria described in the report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. CHAPTER 2: GENERAL FEMALE NUTRITION: Summary Statements Recommendations CHAPTER 3: ADOLESCENCE NUTRITION: Summary Statements Recommendations CHAPTER 4: PRE-CONCEPTUAL NUTRITION: Summary Statement Recommendations CHAPTER 5: NUTRITION IN PREGNANCY: Summary Statements Recommendations CHAPTER 6: POSTPARTUM NUTRITION AND LACTATION: Summary Statements Recommendations CHAPTER 7: NUTRITION DURING MENOPAUSE AND BEYOND: Summary Statement Recommendations.
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Select Prenatal Environmental Exposures and Subsequent Alterations of Gene-Specific and Repetitive Element DNA Methylation in Fetal Tissues. Curr Environ Health Rep 2016; 2:126-36. [PMID: 26231362 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-015-0045-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Strong evidence implicates maternal environmental exposures in contributing to adverse outcomes during pregnancy and later in life through the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis. Recent research suggests these effects are mediated through the improper regulation of DNA methylation in offspring tissues, specifically placental tissue, which plays a critical role in fetal development. This article reviews the relevant literature relating DNA methylation in multiple tissues at or near delivery to several prenatal environmental toxicants and stressors, including cigarette smoke, endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, as well as maternal diet. These human studies expand upon previously reported outcomes in animal model interventions and include effects on both imprinted and non-imprinted genes. We have also noted some of the strengths and limitations in the approaches used, and consider the appropriate interpretation of these findings in terms of their effect size and their relationship to differential gene expression and potential health outcomes. The studies suggest an important role of DNA methylation in mediating the effects of the intrauterine environment on children's health and a need for additional research to better clarify the role of this epigenetic mechanism as well as others.
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High folic acid intake reduces natural killer cell cytotoxicity in aged mice. J Nutr Biochem 2016; 30:102-7. [PMID: 27012626 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Presence of unmetabolized folic acid in plasma, which is indicative of folic acid intake beyond the metabolic capacity of the body, is associated with reduced natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity in postmenopausal women ≥50years. NK cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that are part of the innate immune system critical for surveillance and defense against virus-infected and cancer cells. We determined if a high folic acid diet can result in reduced NK cell cytotoxicity in an aged mouse model. Female C57BL/6 mice (16-month-old) were fed an AIN-93M diet with the recommended daily allowance (1× RDA, control) or 20× RDA (high) folic acid for 3months. NK cytotoxicity was lower in splenocytes from mice fed a high folic acid diet when compared to mice on control diet (P<.04). The lower NK cell cytotoxicity in high folic acid fed mice could be due to their lower mature cytotoxic/naïve NK cell ratio (P=.03) when compared to the control mice. Splenocytes from mice on high folic acid diet produced less interleukin (IL)-10 when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (P<.05). The difference in NK cell cytotoxicity between dietary groups was abolished when the splenocytes were supplemented with exogenous IL-10 prior to assessment of the NK cytotoxicity, suggesting that the reduced NK cell cytotoxicity of the high folic acid group was at least partially due to reduced IL-10 production. This study demonstrates a causal relationship between high folic acid intake and reduced NK cell cytotoxicity and provides some insights into the potential mechanisms behind this relationship.
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Plumptre L, Masih SP, Ly A, Aufreiter S, Sohn KJ, Croxford R, Lausman AY, Berger H, O'Connor DL, Kim YI. High concentrations of folate and unmetabolized folic acid in a cohort of pregnant Canadian women and umbilical cord blood. Am J Clin Nutr 2015; 102:848-57. [PMID: 26269367 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.115.110783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mandatory fortification, prevalent supplement use, and public health guidelines recommending periconceptional supplementation have increased folic acid intakes in North American pregnant women. However, the effects of increased folic acid intakes during pregnancy on maternal and cord blood folate concentrations have not been well established. OBJECTIVES In this prospective study, we determined maternal and cord blood concentrations of folate and unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) in a cohort of pregnant Canadian women and their newborns and examined the effect of maternal intakes of folate and folic acid and fetal genetic variants in folate metabolism on folate status. DESIGN Folate and folic acid intakes of 368 Canadian pregnant women were assessed in early (0-16 wk) and late (23-37 wk) pregnancy. Blood concentrations of folate and UMFA were measured with the use of immunoassays and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively, in maternal samples in early pregnancy (12-16 wk), at delivery (28-42 wk), and in cord blood. Four fetal genetic variants of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) genes were assessed for their association with cord blood concentrations of folate and UMFA. RESULTS Geometric mean (95% CI) maternal red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations were 2417 nmol/L (2362, 2472 nmol/L ) and 2793 nmol/L (2721, 2867 nmol/L ) in early pregnancy and at delivery, respectively. The mean (95% CI) cord RBC folate concentration was 2689 nmol/L (2614, 2765 nmol/L). UMFA was detectable in >90% of maternal and cord plasma samples. Although 3 fetal MTHFR and DHFR genetic variants had no effect, the fetal MTHFR 677TT genotype was associated with significantly lower cord serum (P = 0.03) and higher cord RBC (P = 0.02) folate concentrations than those of the wild type. CONCLUSIONS Notwithstanding differences in assays, maternal and cord RBC folate and plasma UMFA concentrations were higher than previously reported values. Functional ramifications of high folate and UMFA concentrations in maternal and fetal circulation warrant additional investigation because an excess folate status may affect long-term health outcomes of the offspring. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02244684.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Plumptre
- Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science and
| | - Shannon P Masih
- Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science and
| | - Anna Ly
- Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susanne Aufreiter
- Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kyoung-Jin Sohn
- Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science and
| | - Ruth Croxford
- Freelance statistics consultant, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Andrea Y Lausman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Howard Berger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Deborah L O'Connor
- Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Young-In Kim
- Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science and Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada;
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Oster M, Nuchchanart W, Trakooljul N, Muráni E, Zeyner A, Wirthgen E, Hoeflich A, Ponsuksili S, Wimmers K. Methylating micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy influences foetal hepatic gene expression and IGF signalling and increases foetal weight. Eur J Nutr 2015; 55:1717-27. [PMID: 26169873 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-015-0990-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Maternal diet during pregnancy impacts foetal growth and development. In particular, dietary levels of methylating micronutrients (methionine, folate, choline, vitamins B6, and B12) interfere with the availability and allocation of methyl groups for methylation reactions, thereby influencing normal transcription. However, the currently recommended methylating micronutrient supplementation regimen is haphazard and arbitrary at best. METHODS To investigate the effects of a methylating micronutrient-rich maternal diet, pregnant Pietrain sows were fed either a standard diet (CON) or a diet supplemented with methionine, folate, choline, B6, B12, and zinc (MET). Foetal liver and muscle (M. longissimus dorsi) tissues were collected at 35, 63, and 91 days post-conception. Transcriptional responses to diet were assessed in foetal liver. Altered insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signalling in transcriptome analyses prompted investigation of IGF-2 and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) levels in muscle and liver. RESULTS Maternal diet enriched with methylating micronutrients was associated with increased foetal weight in late gestation. Hepatic transcriptional patterns also revealed differences in vitamin B6 and folate metabolism between the two diets, suggesting that supplementation was effective. Additionally, shifts in growth-supporting metabolic routes of the lipid and energy metabolism, including IGF signalling, and of cell cycle-related pathways were found to occur in liver tissue in supplemented individuals. Weight differences and modulated IGF pathways were also reflected in the muscle content of IGF-2 (increased in MET) and IGFBP-2 (decreased in MET). CONCLUSIONS Maternal dietary challenges provoke stage-dependent and tissue-specific transcriptomic modulations in the liver pointing to molecular routes contributing to the organismal adaptation. Subtle effects on late foetal growth are associated with changes in the IGF signalling mainly in skeletal muscle tissue that is less resilient to dietary stimuli than liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Oster
- Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - W Nuchchanart
- Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - N Trakooljul
- Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - E Muráni
- Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - A Zeyner
- Department of Animal Nutrition, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - E Wirthgen
- Ligandis GbR, Dorfstr. 14, 18276, Gülzow-Prüzen, Germany
| | - A Hoeflich
- Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - S Ponsuksili
- Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - K Wimmers
- Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany.
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Asadi-Pooya AA. High dose folic acid supplementation in women with epilepsy: Are we sure it is safe? Seizure 2015; 27:51-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2015.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Fayyaz F, Wang F, Jacobs RL, O’Connor DL, Bell RC, Field CJ. Folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6status of a group of high socioeconomic status women in the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2014; 39:1402-8. [DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2014-0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Folic acid supplementation and food fortification policies have improved folate status in North American women of child bearing age. Recent studies have reported the possible inadequacy of vitamin B12and B6in the etiology of neural tube defects in folate-fortified populations. The aims of this study were to describe folate status and its relationship to supplementation and to assess vitamin B12and B6status in a cohort of pregnant women. Supplement intake data were collected in each trimester from the first cohort (n = 599) of the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study. Red blood cell folate (RBCF) and plasma folate, holotranscobalamin, and pyridoxal 5-phosphate were measured. Overt folate deficiency was rare (3%) but 24% of women in their first trimester had suboptimal RBCF concentration (<906 nmol·L−1). The proportion of the cohort in this category declined substantially in second (9%) and third (7%) trimesters. High RBCF (>1360 nmol·L−1) was observed in approximately half of the women during each pregnancy trimester. Vitamin B12and B6deficiencies were rare (<1% of the cohort). Women consuming folic acid supplements above the upper level had significantly higher RBCF and plasma folate concentrations. In conclusion, the prevalence of vitamin B12and B6deficiency was very low. A quarter of the women had suboptimal folate status in the first trimester of pregnancy and over half the women had abnormally high RBCF, suggesting that supplementation during pregnancy is not appropriate in a cohort of women considered to be healthy and a low risk for nutritional deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiqa Fayyaz
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, 4-126A Li Ka Shing Health Research Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - Flora Wang
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, 4-126A Li Ka Shing Health Research Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - René L. Jacobs
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, 4-126A Li Ka Shing Health Research Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - Deborah L. O’Connor
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto and the Physiology and Experimental Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Rhonda C. Bell
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, 4-126A Li Ka Shing Health Research Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - Catherine J. Field
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, 4-126A Li Ka Shing Health Research Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
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High dose of maternal folic acid supplementation is associated to infant asthma. Food Chem Toxicol 2014; 75:88-93. [PMID: 25449200 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Revised: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Maternal folic acid supplementation had a positive effect on preventing neural tube defects (NTDs), but its effects in infant asthma remained unclear. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted with outpatients between March 2010 and March 2011 including 150 onset infant asthma cases and 212 controls, together with a meta-analysis involving 14,438 participants, was performed. The association between maternal folic acid supplementation and the risk of infant asthma was not significant either in the meta-analysis (OR = 1.06, 95% CI =0.99-1.14) or in the case-control study (OR = 0.72, 95% CI =0.37-1.39). However, quantitative analysis of the supplementation dose demonstrated that the risk of infant asthma significantly increased for the infants whose mother were with high-dose supplementation (>72,000 µg•d; OR = 3.16, 95% CI =1.15-8.71) after adjusting for confounding factors in the case-control study. Meanwhile, the risk of infant asthma significantly decreased for the infants whose mother were with low-dose supplementation (<36,000 µg•d; OR = 0.36, 95% CI =0.17-0.77). A high dose of folic acid supplementation for mother during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of infant asthma, whereas supplementation with a relatively low-dose was associated with a decreased risk of infant asthma. These findings should be further investigated in a large population.
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Nakouzi GA, Nadeau JH. Does dietary folic acid supplementation in mouse NTD models affect neural tube development or gamete preference at fertilization? BMC Genet 2014; 15:91. [PMID: 25154628 PMCID: PMC4151023 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-014-0091-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common birth defect in humans. Dietary folic acid (FA) supplementation effectively and safely reduces the incidence of these often debilitating congenital anomalies. FA plays an established role in folate and homocysteine metabolism, but the means by which it suppresses occurrence of NTDs is not understood. In addition, many cases remain resistant to the beneficial effects of folic acid supplementation. To better understand the molecular, biochemical and developmental mechanisms by which FA exerts its effect on NTDs, characterized mouse models are needed that have a defined genetic basis and known response to dietary supplementation. Results We examined the effect of FA supplementation, at 5-fold the level in the control diet, on the NTD and vertebral phenotypes in Apobtm1Unc and Vangl2Lp mice, hereafter referred to as Apob and Lp respectively. The FA supplemented diet did not reduce the incidence or severity of NTDs in Apob or Lp mutant homozygotes or the loop-tail phenotype in Lp mutant heterozygotes, suggesting that mice with these mutant alleles are resistant to FA supplementation. Folic acid supplementation also did not affect the rate of resorptions or the size of litters, but instead skewed the embryonic genotype distribution in favor of wild-type alleles. Conclusion Similar genotypic biases have been reported for several NTD models, but were interpreted as diet-induced increases in the incidence and severity of NTDs that led to increased embryonic lethality. Absence of differences in resorption rates and litter sizes argue against induced embryonic lethality. We suggest an alternative interpretation, namely that FA supplementation led to strongly skewed allelic inheritance, perhaps from disturbances in polyamine metabolism that biases fertilization in favor of wild-type gametes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph H Nadeau
- Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Barua S, Chadman KK, Kuizon S, Buenaventura D, Stapley NW, Ruocco F, Begum U, Guariglia SR, Brown WT, Junaid MA. Increasing maternal or post-weaning folic acid alters gene expression and moderately changes behavior in the offspring. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101674. [PMID: 25006883 PMCID: PMC4090150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have indicated that altered maternal micronutrients and vitamins influence the development of newborns and altered nutrient exposure throughout the lifetime may have potential health effects and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. In recent years, folic acid (FA) exposure has significantly increased as a result of mandatory FA fortification and supplementation during pregnancy. Since FA modulates DNA methylation and affects gene expression, we investigated whether the amount of FA ingested during gestation alters gene expression in the newborn cerebral hemisphere, and if the increased exposure to FA during gestation and throughout the lifetime alters behavior in C57BL/6J mice. Methods Dams were fed FA either at 0.4 mg or 4 mg/kg diet throughout the pregnancy and the resulting pups were maintained on the diet throughout experimentation. Newborn pups brain cerebral hemispheres were used for microarray analysis. To confirm alteration of several genes, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analyses were performed. In addition, various behavior assessments were conducted on neonatal and adult offspring. Results Results from microarray analysis suggest that the higher dose of FA supplementation during gestation alters the expression of a number of genes in the newborns’ cerebral hemispheres, including many involved in development. QRT-PCR confirmed alterations of nine genes including down-regulation of Cpn2, Htr4, Zfp353, Vgll2 and up-regulation of Xist, Nkx6-3, Leprel1, Nfix, Slc17a7. The alterations in the expression of Slc17a7 and Vgll2 were confirmed at the protein level. Pups exposed to the higher dose of FA exhibited increased ultrasonic vocalizations, greater anxiety-like behavior and hyperactivity. These findings suggest that although FA plays a significant role in mammalian cellular machinery, there may be a loss of benefit from higher amounts of FA. Unregulated high FA supplementation during pregnancy and throughout the life course may have lasting effects, with alterations in brain development resulting in changes in behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subit Barua
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Kathryn K. Chadman
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Salomon Kuizon
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Diego Buenaventura
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Nathan W. Stapley
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Felicia Ruocco
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Umme Begum
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Sara R. Guariglia
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, United States of America
| | - W. Ted Brown
- Department of Human Genetics, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Mohammed A. Junaid
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
- Graduate Center and College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Hoyo C, Daltveit AK, Iversen E, Benjamin-Neelon SE, Fuemmeler B, Schildkraut J, Murtha AP, Overcash F, Vidal AC, Wang F, Huang Z, Kurtzberg J, Seewaldt V, Forman M, Jirtle RL, Murphy SK. Erythrocyte folate concentrations, CpG methylation at genomically imprinted domains, and birth weight in a multiethnic newborn cohort. Epigenetics 2014; 9:1120-30. [PMID: 24874916 DOI: 10.4161/epi.29332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are proposed to link maternal concentrations of methyl group donor nutrients with the risk of low birth weight. However, empirical data are lacking. We have examined the association between maternal folate and birth weight and assessed the mediating role of DNA methylation at nine differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of genomically imprinted genes in these associations. Compared with newborns of women with folate levels in the lowest quartile, birth weight was higher in newborns of mothers in the second (β = 143.2, se = 63.2, P = 0.02), third (β = 117.3, se = 64.0, P = 0.07), and fourth (β = 133.9, se = 65.2, P = 0.04) quartiles, consistent with a threshold effect. This pattern of association did not vary by race/ethnicity but was more apparent in newborns of non-obese women. DNA methylation at the PLAGL1, SGCE, DLK1/MEG3 and IGF2/H19 DMRs was associated with maternal folate levels and also birth weight, suggestive of threshold effects. MEG3 DMR methylation mediated the association between maternal folate levels and birth weight (P =0.06). While the small sample size and partial scope of examined DMRs limit our conclusions, our data suggest that, with respect to birth weight, no additional benefits may be derived from increased maternal folate concentrations, especially in non-obese women. These data also support epigenetic plasticity as a key mechanistic response to folate availability during early fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathrine Hoyo
- Department of Biological Sciences; North Carolina State University; Raleigh, NC USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Division of Clinical Epidemiology; School of Medicine; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Anne Kjersti Daltveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care; University of Bergen; Bergen, Norway
| | - Edwin Iversen
- Department of Statistics; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Sara E Benjamin-Neelon
- Department of Community and Family Medicine; Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Global Health Institute; Durham, NC USA
| | - Bernard Fuemmeler
- Department of Community and Family Medicine; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Joellen Schildkraut
- Department of Community and Family Medicine; Duke Cancer Institute; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Amy P Murtha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine; School of Medicine; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Francine Overcash
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Division of Clinical Epidemiology; School of Medicine; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Adriana C Vidal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Division of Clinical Epidemiology; School of Medicine; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Frances Wang
- Department of Community and Family Medicine; Duke Cancer Institute; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Zhiqing Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Division of Gynecologic Oncology; School of Medicine; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Joanne Kurtzberg
- Duke University Department of Pediatrics; Duke Cancer Institute; School of Medicine; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Victoria Seewaldt
- Department of Medicine; Division of Oncology; School of Medicine; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
| | - Michele Forman
- Department of Nutritional Sciences; University of Texas; Austin, TX USA
| | - Randy L Jirtle
- Department of Oncology; McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI USA
| | - Susan K Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Division of Gynecologic Oncology; School of Medicine; Duke University; Durham, NC USA
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High plasma folate is negatively associated with leukocyte telomere length in Framingham Offspring cohort. Eur J Nutr 2014; 54:235-41. [PMID: 24793435 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-014-0704-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Shortening of telomeres, the protective structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, is associated with age-related pathologies. Telomere length is influenced by DNA integrity and DNA and histone methylation. Folate plays a role in providing precursors for nucleotides and methyl groups for methylation reactions and has the potential to influence telomere length. METHOD We determined the association between leukocyte telomere length and long-term plasma folate status (mean of 4 years) in Framingham Offspring Study (n = 1,044, females = 52.1 %, mean age 59 years) using data from samples collected before and after folic acid fortification. Leukocyte telomere length was determined by Southern analysis and fasting plasma folate concentration using microbiological assay. RESULTS There was no significant positive association between long-term plasma folate and leukocyte telomere length among the Framingham Offspring Study participants perhaps due to their adequate folate status. While the leukocyte telomere length in the second quintile of plasma folate was longer than that in the first quintile, the difference was not statistically significant. The leukocyte telomere length of the individuals in the fifth quintile of plasma folate was shorter than that of those in the second quintile by 180 bp (P < 0.01). There was a linear decrease in leukocyte telomere length with higher plasma folate concentrations in the upper four quintiles of plasma folate (P for trend = 0.001). Multivitamin use was associated with shorter telomeres in this cohort (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS High plasma folate status possibly resulting from high folic acid intake may interfere with the role of folate in maintaining telomere integrity.
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64
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Huang Y, He Y, Sun X, He Y, Li Y, Sun C. Maternal high folic acid supplement promotes glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in male mouse offspring fed a high-fat diet. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:6298-313. [PMID: 24736781 PMCID: PMC4013629 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15046298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal nutrition may influence metabolic profiles in offspring. We aimed to investigate the effect of maternal folic acid supplement on glucose metabolism in mouse offspring fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Sixty C57BL/6 female mice were randomly assigned into three dietary groups and fed the AIN-93G diet containing 2 (control), 5 (recommended folic acid supplement, RFolS) or 40 (high folic acid supplement, HFolS) mg folic acid/kg of diet. All male offspring were fed HFD for eight weeks. Physiological, biochemical and genetic variables were measured. Before HFD feeding, developmental variables and metabolic profiles were comparable among each offspring group. However, after eight weeks of HFD feeding, the offspring of HFolS dams (Off-HFolS) were more vulnerable to suffer from obesity (p = 0.009), glucose intolerance (p < 0.001) and insulin resistance (p < 0.001), compared with the controls. Off-HFolS had reduced serum adiponectin concentration, accompanied with decreased adiponectin mRNA level but increased global DNA methylation level in white adipose tissue. In conclusion, our results suggest maternal HFolS exacerbates the detrimental effect of HFD on glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in male offspring, implying that HFolS during pregnancy should be adopted cautiously in the general population of pregnant women to avoid potential deleterious effect on the metabolic diseases in their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Huang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
| | - Yonghan He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
| | - Xiaowei Sun
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
| | - Yujie He
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
| | - Changhao Sun
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
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65
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Voss KA, Riley RT, Gelineau-van Waes J. Fumonisin B1induced neural tube defects were not increased in LM/Bc mice fed folate-deficient diet. Mol Nutr Food Res 2014; 58:1190-8. [DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201300720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 01/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A. Voss
- Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit; Agricultural Research Service, USDA; Athens GA USA
| | - Ronald T. Riley
- Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit; Agricultural Research Service, USDA; Athens GA USA
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66
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van Uitert EM, van Ginkel S, Willemsen SP, Lindemans J, Koning AHJ, Eilers PHC, Exalto N, Laven JSE, Steegers EAP, Steegers-Theunissen RPM. An optimal periconception maternal folate status for embryonic size: the Rotterdam Predict study. BJOG 2014; 121:821-9. [DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.12592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- EM van Uitert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - S van Ginkel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - SP Willemsen
- Department of Biostatistics; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - J Lindemans
- Department of Clinical Chemistry; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - AHJ Koning
- Department of Bioinformatics; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - PHC Eilers
- Department of Biostatistics; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - N Exalto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - JSE Laven
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - EAP Steegers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - RPM Steegers-Theunissen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Genetics; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
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Rozendaal AM, van Essen AJ, te Meerman GJ, Bakker MK, van der Biezen JJ, Goorhuis-Brouwer SM, Vermeij-Keers C, de Walle HEK. Periconceptional folic acid associated with an increased risk of oral clefts relative to non-folate related malformations in the Northern Netherlands: a population based case-control study. Eur J Epidemiol 2013; 28:875-87. [PMID: 24092049 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-013-9849-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Periconceptional folic acid has been associated with a reduced risk of neural tube defects, but findings on its effect in oral clefts are largely inconclusive. This case-control study assesses the effects of periconceptional folic acid on cleft risk, using complementary data from the Dutch Oral Cleft Registry and a population-based birth defects registry (Eurocat) of children and foetuses born in the Northern Netherlands between 1997 and 2009. Cases were live-born infants with non-syndromic clefts (n = 367) and controls were infants or foetuses with chromosomal/syndromal (n = 924) or non-folate related anomalies (n = 2,021). We analyzed type/timing/duration of supplement use related to traditional cleft categories as well as to their timing (early/late embryonic periods) and underlying embryological processes (fusion/differentiation defects). Consistent supplement use during the aetiologically relevant period (weeks 0-12 postconception) was associated with an increased risk of clefts (adjusted odds ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.19-2.49), especially of cleft lip/alveolus (3.16, 1.69-5.91). Further analysis systematically showed twofold to threefold increased risks for late differentiation defects-mainly clefts of the lip/alveolus-with no significant associations for early/late fusion defects. Effects were attributable to folic acid and not to other multivitamin components, and inclusion of partial use (not covering the complete aetiologically relevant period) generally weakened associations. In conclusion, this study presents several lines of evidence indicating that periconceptional folic acid in the Northern Netherlands is associated with an increased risk of clefts, in particular of cleft lip/alveolus. This association is strengthened by the specificity, consistency, systematic pattern, and duration of exposure-response relationship of our findings, underlining the need to evaluate public health strategies regarding folic acid and to further investigate potential adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Rozendaal
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room EE 1591, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands,
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Huhta J, Linask KK. Environmental origins of congenital heart disease: the heart-placenta connection. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2013; 18:245-50. [PMID: 23751925 DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2013.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Although the mammalian embryo is well protected in the uterus, environmental chemicals, drugs, and maternal nutritional imbalances can interfere with regulatory pathways directing placental and embryonic development early in gestation. Embryonic cells are most susceptible to environmental influences during cellular specification and differentiation stages. Because biochemical differentiation precedes morphological outcome often by days, the period of susceptibility to environmental chemicals expectedly precedes visible morphogenic effects. The cellular mechanisms by which drugs and other environmental factors disrupt embryonic development and induce cardiac abnormalities have remained undefined.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Huhta
- All Children's Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine, St Petersburg, FL, USA.
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69
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Imbard A, Benoist JF, Blom HJ. Neural tube defects, folic acid and methylation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:4352-89. [PMID: 24048206 PMCID: PMC3799525 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10094352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2013] [Revised: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common complex congenital malformations resulting from failure of the neural tube closure during embryogenesis. It is established that folic acid supplementation decreases the prevalence of NTDs, which has led to national public health policies regarding folic acid. To date, animal studies have not provided sufficient information to establish the metabolic and/or genomic mechanism(s) underlying human folic acid responsiveness in NTDs. However, several lines of evidence suggest that not only folates but also choline, B12 and methylation metabolisms are involved in NTDs. Decreased B12 vitamin and increased total choline or homocysteine in maternal blood have been shown to be associated with increased NTDs risk. Several polymorphisms of genes involved in these pathways have also been implicated in risk of development of NTDs. This raises the question whether supplementation with B12 vitamin, betaine or other methylation donors in addition to folic acid periconceptional supplementation will further reduce NTD risk. The objective of this article is to review the role of methylation metabolism in the onset of neural tube defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apolline Imbard
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, 48 bd Serrurier, Paris 75019, France; E-Mail:
- Metabolic Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU Free University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
| | - Jean-François Benoist
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, 48 bd Serrurier, Paris 75019, France; E-Mail:
| | - Henk J. Blom
- Metabolic Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU Free University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
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High dose folic acid supplementation of rats alters synaptic transmission and seizure susceptibility in offspring. Sci Rep 2013; 3:1465. [PMID: 23492951 PMCID: PMC3598003 DOI: 10.1038/srep01465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal folic acid supplementation is essential to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. We hypothesize that high levels of folic acid throughout gestation may produce neural networks more susceptible to seizure in offspring. We hence administered large doses of folic acid to rats before and during gestation and found their offspring had a 42% decrease in their seizure threshold. In vitro, acute application of folic acid or its metabolite 4Hfolate to neurons induced hyper-excitability and bursting. Cultured neuronal networks which develop in the presence of a low concentration (50 nM) of 4Hfolate had reduced capacity to stabilize their network dynamics after a burst of high-frequency activity, and an increase in the frequency of mEPSCs. Networks reared in the presence of the folic acid metabolite 5M4Hfolate developed a spontaneous, distinctive bursting pattern, and both metabolites produced an increase in synaptic density.
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71
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Salbaum JM, Kruger C, Kappen C. Mutation at the folate receptor 4 locus modulates gene expression profiles in the mouse uterus in response to periconceptional folate supplementation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:1653-61. [PMID: 23651732 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2012] [Revised: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Periconceptional supplementation of folic acid to the diet of women is considered a great success for a public health intervention. Higher folate status, either by supplementation, or via the mandatory fortification of grain products in the United States, has led to significant reduction in the incidence of neural tube defects. Besides birth defects, folate deficiency has been linked to a variety of morbidities, most notably to increased risk for cancer. However, recent evidence suggests that excess folate may be detrimental - for birth defect incidence or in the progression of cancer. How folate mediates beneficial or detrimental effects is not well understood. It is also unknown what molecular responses are elicited in women taking folate supplements, and thus experience a bolus of folate on top of the status achieved by fortification. To characterize the response to a periconceptional regimen of supplementation with folinic acid, we performed gene expression profiling experiments on uterus tissue of pregnant mice with either wildtype alleles or targeted disruption at the folate receptor 4 locus. We observed that, depending on the genetic background, folinic acid supplementation affects expression of genes that contribute to lipid metabolism, protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, cell cycle, and cell activation. The extent of the response is strongly modulated by the genetic background. Finally, we provide evidence that folinic acid supplementation in the mutant paradigm affects histone methylation status, a potential mechanism of gene regulation in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Salbaum
- Department of Regulation of Gene Expression, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.
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72
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The heart-placenta axis in the first month of pregnancy: induction and prevention of cardiovascular birth defects. J Pregnancy 2013; 2013:320413. [PMID: 23691322 PMCID: PMC3652177 DOI: 10.1155/2013/320413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2012] [Revised: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Extrapolating from animal studies to human pregnancy, our studies showed that folate (FA) deficiency as well as one-time exposure to environmental factors in the first two to three weeks of human gestation can result in severe congenital heart defects (CHDs). Considering that approximately 49% of pregnancies are unplanned, this period of pregnancy can be considered high-risk for cardiac, as well as for neural, birth defects, as the woman usually is not aware of her pregnancy and may not yet be taking precautionary actions to protect the developing embryo. Using avian and mouse vertebrate models, we demonstrated that FA supplementation prevents CHD induced by alcohol, lithium, or elevation of the metabolite homocysteine, a marker for FA deficiency. All three factors affected the important Wnt signaling pathway by suppressing Wnt-mediated gene expression in the heart fields, resulting in a delay of cardiomyocyte migration, cardiomyogenesis, and CHD. Optimal protection of cardiogenesis was observed to occur with FA supplementation provided upon morning after conception and at higher doses than the presently available in prenatal vitamin supplementation. Our studies demonstrate pathways and cell processes that are involved with protection of one-carbon metabolism during heart development.
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73
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Yuan Q, Zhao S, Liu S, Zhang Y, Fu J, Wang F, Liu Q, Ling EA, Hao A. Folic acid supplementation changes the fate of neural progenitors in mouse embryos of hyperglycemic and diabetic pregnancy. J Nutr Biochem 2012; 24:1202-12. [PMID: 23260036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Revised: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Folic acid has been shown to decrease the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in normal and hyperglycemic conditions, but the influence of folic acid on the development of central nervous system is not fully understood. Here, we aimed to explore the effects of folic acid, especially high dose of folic acid, on the characteristics of neural progenitors in embryos of hyperglycemic and diabetic mouse. Hyperglycemic and diabetic pregnant mice were given 3 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg folic acid from embryonic day 0.5 (E0.5) and were euthanased on E11.5, E13.5 or E18.5. The incidence of NTDs at E13.5 was counted. The proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of neural progenitors and neuronal migration were determined using BrdU incorporation assay, TUNEL assay, immunofluorescence, Western blot and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Both normal and high doses of folic acid decreased the incidence of NTDs, promoted proliferation and reduced apoptosis of neuroepithelial cells in embryos of hyperglycemic and diabetic mice. Importantly, folic acid, especially at high dose, might affect the premature differentiation of neural progenitors in embryos of hyperglycemic and diabetic pregnancy. This may be attributed to changes of messenger RNA expression levels of some basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factors. In addition, folic acid might be involved in regulating neuronal migration in embryos of hyperglycemic and diabetic pregnancy. These findings suggest that periconceptional supplementation of folic acid, especially at high dose, may be a double-edged sword because it may result in undesirable outcomes affecting both the neuronal and glial differentiation in hyperglycemic and diabetic pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuhuan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan 250012, China
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Yamaguchi Y, Miura M. How to form and close the brain: insight into the mechanism of cranial neural tube closure in mammals. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 70:3171-86. [PMID: 23242429 PMCID: PMC3742426 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1227-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The development of the embryonic brain critically depends on successfully completing cranial neural tube closure (NTC). Failure to properly close the neural tube results in significant and potentially lethal neural tube defects (NTDs). We believe these malformations are caused by disruptions in normal developmental programs such as those involved in neural plate morphogenesis and patterning, tissue fusion, and coordinated cell behaviors. Cranial NTDs include anencephaly and craniorachischisis, both lethal human birth defects. Newly emerging methods for molecular and cellular analysis offer a deeper understanding of not only the developmental NTC program itself but also mechanical and kinetic aspects of closure that may contribute to cranial NTDs. Clarifying the underlying mechanisms involved in NTC and how they relate to the onset of specific NTDs in various experimental models may help us develop novel intervention strategies to prevent NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Yamaguchi
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, and CREST, JST, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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Schaevitz LR, Berger-Sweeney JE. Gene-Environment Interactions and Epigenetic Pathways in Autism: The Importance of One-Carbon Metabolism. ILAR J 2012; 53:322-40. [DOI: 10.1093/ilar.53.3-4.322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Orjuela MA, Cabrera-Muñoz L, Paul L, Ramirez-Ortiz MA, Liu X, Chen J, Mejia-Rodriguez F, Medina-Sanson A, Diaz-Carreño S, Suen IH, Selhub J, Ponce-Castañeda MV. Risk of retinoblastoma is associated with a maternal polymorphism in dihydrofolatereductase (DHFR) and prenatal folic acid intake. Cancer 2012; 118:5912-9. [PMID: 22648968 PMCID: PMC3434235 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Revised: 03/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of unilateral retinoblastoma varies globally, suggesting possible environmental contributors to disease incidence. Maternal intake of naturally occurring folate from vegetables during pregnancy is associated inversely with the risk of retinoblastoma in offspring. METHODS The authors used a case-control study design to examine the association between retinoblastoma risk and maternal variations in the folate-metabolizing genes methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (a cytosine-to-thymine substitution at nucleotide 677 [MTHFR677C→T]; reference single nucleotide polymorphism rs1801133) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) (a 19-base-pair deletion of intron 1a [DHFR19bpdel]; rs70991108). In central Mexico, 103 mothers of children with newly diagnosed unilateral retinoblastoma were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved study along with a control group of 97 mothers who had healthy children. Mothers were interviewed regarding perinatal characteristics, including use of prenatal vitamin supplements, and gave peripheral blood samples, which were used for polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping of rs1801133 and rs70991108. RESULTS The risk of having a child with unilateral retinoblastoma was associated with maternal homozygosity for DHFR19bpdel (odds ratio, 3.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.89-7.55; P = .0002), even after controlling for the child's DHFR19bpdel genotype (odds ratio, 2.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-5.99; P = .0073). In a subgroup of 167 mothers with data on prenatal intake of supplements containing folic acid (a synthetic form of folate), DHFR19bpdel-associated risk was elevated significantly only among those who reported taking folic acid supplements. Maternal MTHFR genotype was unrelated to the risk of having a child with retinoblastoma. CONCLUSIONS Maternal homozygosity for a polymorphism in the DHFR gene necessary for converting synthetic folic acid into biologic folate was associated with an increased risk for retinoblastoma. Prenatal ingestion of synthetic folic acid supplements may be associated with increased risk for early childhood carcinogenesis in a genetically susceptible subset of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela A Orjuela
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
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Mikael LG, Deng L, Paul L, Selhub J, Rozen R. Moderately high intake of folic acid has a negative impact on mouse embryonic development. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 97:47-52. [PMID: 23125102 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of neural tube defects has diminished considerably since the implementation of food fortification with folic acid (FA). However, the impact of excess FA intake, particularly during pregnancy, requires investigation. In a recent study, we reported that a diet supplemented with 20-fold higher FA than the recommended intake for rodents had adverse effects on embryonic mouse development at embryonic days (E)10.5 and 14.5. In this report, we examined developmental outcomes in E14.5 embryos after administering a diet supplemented with 10-fold higher FA than recommended to pregnant mice with and without a mild deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). METHODS Pregnant mice with or without a deficiency in MTHFR were fed a control diet (recommended FA intake of 2 mg/kg diet for rodents) or an FA-supplemented diet (FASD; 10-fold higher than the recommended intake [20 mg/kg diet]). At E14.5, mice were examined for embryonic loss and growth retardation, and hearts were assessed for defects and for ventricular wall thickness. RESULTS Maternal FA supplementation was associated with embryonic loss, embryonic delays, a higher incidence of ventricular septal defects, and thinner left and right ventricular walls, compared to mothers fed control diet. CONCLUSIONS Our work suggests that even moderately high levels of FA supplementation may adversely affect fetal mouse development. Additional studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of high folate intake in pregnant women. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie G Mikael
- Departments of Human Genetics and Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Skare O, Jugessur A, Lie RT, Wilcox AJ, Murray JC, Lunde A, Nguyen TT, Gjessing HK. Application of a novel hybrid study design to explore gene-environment interactions in orofacial clefts. Ann Hum Genet 2012; 76:221-36. [PMID: 22497478 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1809.2012.00707.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Orofacial clefts are common birth defects with strong evidence for both genetic and environmental causal factors. Candidate gene studies combined with exposures known to influence the outcome provide a highly targeted approach to detecting GxE interactions. We developed a new statistical approach that combines the case-control and offspring-parent triad designs into a "hybrid design" to search for GxE interactions among 334 autosomal cleft candidate genes and maternal first-trimester exposure to smoking, alcohol, coffee, folic acid supplements, dietary folate and vitamin A. The study population comprised 425 case-parent triads of isolated clefts and 562 control-parent triads derived from a nationwide study of orofacial clefts in Norway (1996-2001). A full maximum-likelihood model was used in combination with a Wald test statistic to screen for statistically significant GxE interaction between strata of exposed and unexposed mothers. In addition, we performed pathway-based analyses on 28 detoxification genes and 21 genes involved in folic acid metabolism. With the possible exception of the T-box 4 gene (TBX4) and dietary folate interaction in isolated CPO, there was little evidence overall of GxE interaction in our data. This study is the largest to date aimed at detecting interactions between orofacial clefts candidate genes and well-established risk exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oivind Skare
- Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
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Swayne BG, Behan NA, Williams A, Stover PJ, Yauk CL, MacFarlane AJ. Supplemental dietary folic acid has no effect on chromosome damage in erythrocyte progenitor cells of mice. J Nutr 2012; 142:813-7. [PMID: 22437555 PMCID: PMC3735919 DOI: 10.3945/jn.112.157750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2012] [Revised: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Folate deficiency can cause chromosome damage, which could result from reduced de novo thymidylate synthesis or DNA hypomethylation. High folic acid intake has been hypothesized to inhibit folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism, which could also lead to DNA damage. A large proportion of the general population may have high folic acid intakes. In this study, 2 experiments were conducted to examine the effects of folate on chromosome damage. First, male mice were fed folic acid-deficient (D) (0 mg folic acid/kg diet), control (C) (2 mg/kg), or folic acid-supplemented (S) (6 mg folic acid/kg diet) diets from weaning to maturity. Second, female mice were fed the D, C, or S diet throughout pregnancy, lactation, and breeding for 3 generations; male mice from the F3 generation were fed the same diet as their mothers from weaning, producing D, C, and S F3 male mice. RBC micronucleus frequencies, a measure of chromosome damage or aneuploidy, were determined for both experimental groups. In mice fed diets from weaning to maturity, erythrocyte micronucleus frequency was 24% greater in D compared with C mice. F3 mice fed diet D had 260% and 174% greater reticulocyte and erythrocyte micronucleus frequencies compared with F3 C mice, respectively. The S diets did not affect micronucleus frequency, suggesting that excess folic acid at this level does not promote or protect against chromosome damage. The results suggest that chronic exposure to folic acid at the levels similar to those achieved through fortification is unlikely to be clastogenic or aneugenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanne G. Swayne
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Nathalie A. Behan
- Nutrition Research Division, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada; and
| | - Andrew Williams
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Carole L. Yauk
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Amanda J. MacFarlane
- Nutrition Research Division, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada; and
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80
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Vitamin C-related nutrient–nutrient and nutrient–gene interactions that modify folate status. Eur J Nutr 2012; 52:569-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s00394-012-0359-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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81
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Papadopoulou E, Stratakis N, Roumeliotaki T, Sarri K, Merlo DF, Kogevinas M, Chatzi L. The effect of high doses of folic acid and iron supplementation in early-to-mid pregnancy on prematurity and fetal growth retardation: the mother-child cohort study in Crete, Greece (Rhea study). Eur J Nutr 2012; 52:327-36. [PMID: 22430980 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-012-0339-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined whether high doses of folic acid and iron supplementation in early-to-mid pregnancy affect the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, in the mother-child cohort in Crete, Greece (Rhea study). METHODS We included 1,279 women with singleton pregnancies with complete data on supplements use in early-to-mid pregnancy and birth outcomes. Anthropometric measurements at birth were obtained from medical records. Red blood cell folate concentrations in cord blood were measured in a subsample of the study population (n = 58). RESULTS Sixty-six percent of the study participants reported high doses of supplemental folic acid use (5 mg/day), while 21 % reported excessive doses of folic acid use (>5 mg/day) in early-to-mid pregnancy. Daily intake of 5-mg supplemental folic acid was associated with a 31 % decrease in the risk of preterm birth (RR, 0.69; 95 % CI, 0.44, 0.99), 60 % decrease in the risk of delivering a low birth weight neonate (RR, 0.40; 95 % CI, 0.21, 0.76), and 66 % decrease in the risk of delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) neonate (RR, 0.34; 95 % CI, 0.16, 0.73). Daily doses of iron supplementation more than 100 mg were associated with a twofold increased risk for SGA neonates (RR, 2.14; 95 % CI, 0.99, 5.97). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that high daily doses of supplementary folic acid in early-to-mid pregnancy may be protective for preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, while high daily doses of supplementary iron may be harmful for fetal growth.
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82
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Vanderwall CM, Tangney CC, Kwasny MJ, Gustashaw KA. Examination of circulating folate levels as a reflection of folate intakes among older adult supplement users and nonusers in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004. J Acad Nutr Diet 2012; 112:285-90. [PMID: 22732462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2011.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
High intakes of folic acid and/or elevated blood folate concentrations have been associated with negative health outcomes; thus, it is critical to identify those at greatest risk of such exposures. The goal of this research was to describe folate intakes (folic acid [μg], folate [μg], and total folate [dietary folate equivalent] from food) and identify people 45 years or older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004 at risk of exposure to elevated serum folate concentrations (≥21.8 ng/mL [49.4 nmol/L]) when stratified by race or ethnicity and supplement use within sex. Black men consumed a lower mean food folate and exhibited lower red blood cell folate concentrations when compared to those of white or Mexican-American men (P<0.01 and P<0.01 for both). Black women consumed a lower food folate than Mexican-American women (P<0.01), less total folate (dietary folate equivalent) than white women (P<0.01), and had lower red blood cell folate concentrations than white women (P<0.01). Multivariate odds of elevated serum folate levels increased with age in men (P<0.001) and women (P=0.01). All white subjects and all supplement users (all P<0.001) were more likely to have elevated folate concentrations, while smoking reduced the odds of such exposures in women (P<0.001) and men (P=0.04). These findings highlight the need to understand the impact of chronic exposure to elevated folate intakes, especially among white subjects with increasing age and who use supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra M Vanderwall
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Rush University Medical Center, 1700 W. Van Buren St, Suite 425, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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83
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Salbaum JM, Kappen C. Genetic and epigenomic footprints of folate. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2012; 108:129-58. [PMID: 22656376 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-398397-8.00006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Dietary micronutrient composition has long been recognized as a determining factor for human health. Historically, biochemical research has successfully unraveled how vitamins serve as essential cofactors for enzymatic reactions in the biochemical machinery of the cell. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, follows this paradigm as well. Folate deficiency is linked to adverse health conditions, and dietary supplementation with folate has proven highly beneficial in the prevention of neural tube defects. With its function in single-carbon metabolism, folate levels affect nucleotide synthesis, with implications for cell proliferation, DNA repair, and genomic stability. Furthermore, by providing the single-carbon moiety in the synthesis pathway for S-adenosylmethionine, the main methyl donor in the cell, folate also impacts methylation reactions. It is this capacity that extends the reach of folate functions into the realm of epigenetics and gene regulation. Methylation reactions play a major role for several modalities of the epigenome. The specific methylation status of histones, noncoding RNAs, transcription factors, or DNA represents a significant determinant for the transcriptional output of a cell. Proper folate status is therefore necessary for a broad range of biological functions that go beyond the biochemistry of folate. In this review, we examine evolutionary, genetic, and epigenomic footprints of folate and the implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Salbaum
- Regulation of Gene Expression Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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84
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Higa R, Kurtz M, Mazzucco MB, Musikant D, White V, Jawerbaum A. Folic acid and safflower oil supplementation interacts and protects embryos from maternal diabetes-induced damage. Mol Hum Reprod 2011; 18:253-64. [PMID: 22180326 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gar080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal diabetes increases the risk of embryo malformations. Folic acid and safflower oil supplementations have been shown to reduce embryo malformations in experimental models of diabetes. In this study we here tested whether folic acid and safflower oil supplementations interact to prevent embryo malformations in diabetic rats, and analyzed whether they act through the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs), and nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species production. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin administration prior to mating. From Day 0.5 of pregnancy, rats did or did not receive folic acid (15 mg/kg) and/or a 6% safflower oil-supplemented diet. Embryos and decidua were explanted on Day 10.5 of gestation for further analysis of embryo resorptions and malformations, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels, NO production and lipid peroxidation. Maternal diabetes induced resorptions and malformations that were prevented by folic acid and safflower oil supplementation. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were increased in embryos and decidua from diabetic rats and decreased with safflower oil and folic acid supplementations. In diabetic animals, the embryonic and decidual TIMPs were increased mainly with safflower oil supplementation in decidua and with folic acid in embryos. NO overproduction was decreased in decidua from diabetic rats treated with folic acid alone and in combination with safflower oil. These treatments also prevented increases in embryonic and decidual lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, folic acid and safflower oil supplementations interact and protect the embryos from diabetes-induced damage through several pathways related to a decrease in pro-inflammatory mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Higa
- Laboratory of Reproduction and Metabolism, CEFYBO-CONICET, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1121ABG Buenos Aires, Argentina
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