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Fardous AM, Heydari AR. Uncovering the Hidden Dangers and Molecular Mechanisms of Excess Folate: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:4699. [PMID: 37960352 PMCID: PMC10648405 DOI: 10.3390/nu15214699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This review delves into the intricate relationship between excess folate (vitamin B9) intake, especially its synthetic form, namely, folic acid, and its implications on health and disease. While folate plays a pivotal role in the one-carbon cycle, which is essential for DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, concerns arise about its excessive intake. The literature underscores potential deleterious effects, such as an increased risk of carcinogenesis; disruption in DNA methylation; and impacts on embryogenesis, pregnancy outcomes, neurodevelopment, and disease risk. Notably, these consequences stretch beyond the immediate effects, potentially influencing future generations through epigenetic reprogramming. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects were examined, including altered one-carbon metabolism, the accumulation of unmetabolized folic acid, vitamin-B12-dependent mechanisms, altered methylation patterns, and interactions with critical receptors and signaling pathways. Furthermore, differences in the effects and mechanisms mediated by folic acid compared with natural folate are highlighted. Given the widespread folic acid supplementation, it is imperative to further research its optimal intake levels and the molecular pathways impacted by its excessive intake, ensuring the health and well-being of the global population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali M. Fardous
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
| | - Ahmad R. Heydari
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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Gillies NA, Sharma P, Han SM, Teh R, Fraser K, Roy NC, Cameron-Smith D, Milan AM. The acute postprandial response of homocysteine to multivitamin and mineral supplementation with a standard meal is not impaired in older compared to younger adults. Eur J Nutr 2023; 62:1309-1322. [PMID: 36539620 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-022-03068-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE B vitamins are required for the complex regulation of homocysteine and one-carbon (1C) metabolism. Nutritional supplements are frequently used by older adults to counter nutritional inadequacies. However, the postprandial use of B vitamins from supplements in 1C metabolism may be altered with age owing to impaired nutrient absorption and metabolic regulation. Despite implications for health and nutritional status, postprandial 1C metabolite responses have not been characterised in older adults. METHODS Healthy older (n = 20, 65-76 years) and younger (n = 20, 19-30 years) participants were recruited through online and printed advertisements in Auckland, New Zealand. Participants consumed a multivitamin and mineral supplement with a standard breakfast meal. Blood samples were collected at baseline and hourly for 4 h following ingestion. Plasma 1C metabolites (betaine, choline, cysteine, dimethylglycine, glycine, methionine, serine) were quantified using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Serum homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 were quantified on a Cobas e411 autoanalyzer. RESULTS Older adults had higher fasting homocysteine concentrations (older: 14.0 ± 2.9 µmol/L; younger: 12.2 ± 2.5 µmol/L; p = 0.036) despite higher folate (older: 36.7 ± 17.4 nmol/L; younger: 21.6 ± 7.6 nmol/L; p < 0.001) and similar vitamin B12 concentrations (p = 0.143) to younger adults. However, a similar postprandial decline in homocysteine was found in older and younger subjects in response to the combined meal and supplement. Except for a faster decline of cystathionine in older adults (p = 0.003), the postprandial response of other 1C metabolites was similar between young and older adults. CONCLUSION Healthy older adults appear to maintain postprandial responsiveness of 1C metabolism to younger adults, supported by a similar postprandial decline in homocysteine concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola A Gillies
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
- The Riddet Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Pankaja Sharma
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
- The Riddet Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Soo Min Han
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Ruth Teh
- School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Karl Fraser
- The Riddet Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- The High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge, Auckland, New Zealand
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Nicole C Roy
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
- The Riddet Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- The High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Human Nutrition, The University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - David Cameron-Smith
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
- The Riddet Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Amber M Milan
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
- The High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge, Auckland, New Zealand.
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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Jankovic-Karasoulos T, Smith MD, Leemaqz S, Williamson J, McCullough D, Arthurs AL, Jones LA, Bogias KJ, Mol BW, Dalton J, Dekker GA, Roberts CT. Elevated Maternal Folate Status and Changes in Maternal Prolactin, Placental Lactogen and Placental Growth Hormone Following Folic Acid Food Fortification: Evidence from Two Prospective Pregnancy Cohorts. Nutrients 2023; 15:1553. [PMID: 37049394 PMCID: PMC10097170 DOI: 10.3390/nu15071553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Folic acid (FA) food fortification in Australia has resulted in a higher-than-expected intake of FA during pregnancy. High FA intake is associated with increased insulin resistance and gestational diabetes. We aimed to establish whether maternal one-carbon metabolism and hormones that regulate glucose homeostasis change in healthy pregnancies post-FA food fortification. Circulating folate, B12, homocysteine, prolactin (PRL), human placental lactogen (hPL) and placental growth hormone (GH2) were measured in early pregnancy maternal blood in women with uncomplicated pregnancies prior to (SCOPE: N = 604) and post (STOP: N = 711)-FA food fortification. FA food fortification resulted in 63% higher maternal folate. STOP women had lower hPL (33%) and GH2 (43%) after 10 weeks of gestation, but they had higher PRL (29%) and hPL (28%) after 16 weeks. FA supplementation during pregnancy increased maternal folate and reduced homocysteine but only in the SCOPE group, and it was associated with 54% higher PRL in SCOPE but 28% lower PRL in STOP. FA food fortification increased maternal folate status, but supplements no longer had an effect, thereby calling into question their utility. An altered secretion of hormones that regulate glucose homeostasis in pregnancy could place women post-fortification at an increased risk of insulin resistance and gestational diabetes, particularly for older women and those with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melanie D. Smith
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Shalem Leemaqz
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Jessica Williamson
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Dylan McCullough
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Anya L. Arthurs
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Lauren A. Jones
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | | | - Ben W. Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Julia Dalton
- Lyell McEwin Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5112, Australia
| | - Gustaaf A. Dekker
- Lyell McEwin Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5112, Australia
- Lyell McEwin Hospital, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Claire T. Roberts
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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Dhillon VS, Deo P, Fenech M. Plasma Micronutrient Profile of Prostate Cancer Cases Is Altered Relative to Healthy Controls-Results of a Pilot Study in South Australia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010077. [PMID: 36612074 PMCID: PMC9817984 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests possible roles of micronutrients in cancer prevention. The study was designed to test the hypothesis that the concentration profile of plasma micronutrients (i.e., the nutriome) in prostate cancer patients is different from that of healthy controls. Plasma samples from 116 Caucasian men diagnosed with late onset of prostate cancer and 132 matched controls from the South Australian population were collected and analysed for their concentration of micronutrients. Plasma concentrations of lutein, lycopene, α-carotene and β-carotene were found to be significantly lower in prostate cancer patients (p = 0.03, 0.008, 0.002 and 0.002, respectively). Plasma levels of elements such as iron, copper, calcium and sulphur were significantly higher (p < 0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001 and p = 0.0003, respectively) while that of selenium was significantly lower (p = 0.002) in prostate cancer patients. Higher prostate cancer risk is significantly associated with plasma levels below the median of lycopene (OR: 2.24), α-carotene (OR: 2.13), β-carotene (OR: 1.97) and high levels above the median of iron (OR: 2.31), calcium (OR: 4.35) and sulphur (OR: 2.39). The results of this study suggest that the plasma nutriome could be a useful diagnostic of prostate cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varinderpal S. Dhillon
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
- Correspondence: (V.S.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Permal Deo
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Michael Fenech
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
- Genome Health Foundation, North Brighton, Adelaide 5048, Australia
- Correspondence: (V.S.D.); (M.F.)
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Genetics and Epigenetics of One-Carbon Metabolism Pathway in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Sex-Specific Brain Epigenome? Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050782. [PMID: 34065323 PMCID: PMC8161134 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting behavior and communication, presenting with extremely different clinical phenotypes and features. ASD etiology is composite and multifaceted with several causes and risk factors responsible for different individual disease pathophysiological processes and clinical phenotypes. From a genetic and epigenetic side, several candidate genes have been reported as potentially linked to ASD, which can be detected in about 10–25% of patients. Folate gene polymorphisms have been previously associated with other psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, mainly focused on gene variants in the DHFR gene (5q14.1; rs70991108, 19bp ins/del), MTHFR gene (1p36.22; rs1801133, C677T and rs1801131, A1298C), and CBS gene (21q22.3; rs876657421, 844ins68). Of note, their roles have been scarcely investigated from a sex/gender viewpoint, though ASD is characterized by a strong sex gap in onset-risk and progression. The aim of the present review is to point out the molecular mechanisms related to intracellular folate recycling affecting in turn remethylation and transsulfuration pathways having potential effects on ASD. Brain epigenome during fetal life necessarily reflects the sex-dependent different imprint of the genome-environment interactions which effects are difficult to decrypt. We here will focus on the DHFR, MTHFR and CBS gene-triad by dissecting their roles in a sex-oriented view, primarily to bring new perspectives in ASD epigenetics.
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Prenatal Folic Acid Supplements and Offspring’s Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:522-539. [PMID: 33743119 PMCID: PMC8813730 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04951-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We systematically reviewed the evidence on the association between maternal folic acid supplementation and the risk of offspring’s autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A total of 10 studies with 23 sub-studies (9795 ASD cases) were included. Folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of offspring’s ASD [OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.41–0.78]. The consumption of a daily amount of at least 400 μg folic acid from dietary sources and supplements, was associated with a reduced risk of offspring ASD [OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.83]. Critical effective maternal folic acid supplementation strategies, such as intake timing and intake dosage, may aid the reduction in the risk of offspring ASD. This meta-analysis provided new insights for the prevention of offspring’s ASD.
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Steluti J, Miranda AM, De Carli E, Palchetti CZ, Fisberg RM, Marchioni DML. Unmetabolized folic acid is associated with TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12 concentrations in a population exposed to mandatory food fortification with folic acid: a cross-sectional population-based study in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Eur J Nutr 2020; 60:1071-1079. [PMID: 32588217 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-020-02307-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study assessed associations between inflammatory markers, as cytokines, adhesion molecules and unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) among a population exposed to mandatory fortification. METHODS Data were collected from a cross-sectional population-based survey (n = 302) conducted in São Paulo City, Brazil. UMFA was assayed by a modified affinity-HPLC method with electrochemical detection to measure the different forms of the folate in plasma. We used a commercial test kit to analyze cytokines and adhesion molecules. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to investigate the association between inflammatory markers and UMFA. Multiple models were adjusted for sex, age, self-reported skin color, BMI and smoking status. RESULTS The prevalence of detectable UMFA in this population was high (81.2%), with median concentration of 1.67 nmol/L. The odds ratios (95% CIs) for having higher immunological markers levels among individuals in the highest tertile of UMFA were 0.44 (0.24; 0.81) for TNF-α, 0.92 (0.49; 1.75) for CRP, 1.32 (0.70; 2.48) for ICAM, 0.99 (0.54; 1.81) for VCAM, 0.45 (0.25; 0.83) for IL-1β, 0.74 (0.40; 1.38) for IL-6, 1.34 (0.73; 2.44) for IL-8, 0.65 (0.36; 1.18) for IL-10 and 0.49 (0.27; 0.89) for IL-12. CONCLUSION UMFA concentrations were inversely associated with elevated proinflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12). These results signalize a link between folate metabolism and the inflammatory status of adults in an apparently folate-replete population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiane Steluti
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-904, Brazil. .,Public Policies and Collective Health Department, Health and Society Institute, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Santos, 11015-020, Brazil.
| | - Andreia Machado Miranda
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-904, Brazil
| | - Eduardo De Carli
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-904, Brazil
| | - Cecília Zanin Palchetti
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-904, Brazil
| | - Regina Mara Fisberg
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-904, Brazil
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Titcomb TJ, Tanumihardjo SA. Global Concerns with B Vitamin Statuses: Biofortification, Fortification, Hidden Hunger, Interactions, and Toxicity. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2019; 18:1968-1984. [DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J. Titcomb
- Dept. of Nutritional SciencesUniv. of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison WI 53706 U.S.A
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Maternal Haplotypes in DHFR Promoter and MTHFR Gene in Tuning Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Onset-Latency: Genetic/Epigenetic Mother/Child Dyad Study (GEMCDS). Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10090634. [PMID: 31443485 PMCID: PMC6770441 DOI: 10.3390/genes10090634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) peaks around age 2–4, and in utero genetic epigenetic mother-fetus crosstalk might tune ALL onset during childhood life. Folate genes variably interact with vitamin status on ALL risk and prognosis. We investigated DHFR and MTHFR gene variants in 235 ALL children and their mothers to disclose their role in determining ALL onset age and survival. Pyrosequence of DHFR 19bp ins/del (rs70991108; W/D), MTHFR C677T (rs1801133; C>T), and MTHFR A1298C (rs1801131; A>C) was assessed in children and in 72% of mothers for dyad-analysis comparison. DHFR DD-children had delayed ALL onset compared to WW-children (7.5 ± 4.8 vs. 5.2 ± 3.7 years; P = 0.002) as well as MTHFR 1298 CC-children compared to AA-children (8.03 ± 4.8 vs. 5.78 ± 4.1 years; P = 0.006), and according to the strong linkage disequilibrium between MTHFR 677 T-allele and 1298C-allele, MTHFR TT-children showed early mean age of onset though not significant. Offspring of MTHFR 677 TT-mothers had earlier ALL onset compared to offspring of 677 CC-mothers (5.4 ± 3.3 vs. 7 ± 5.3 years; P = 0.017). DHFR/MTHFR 677 polymorphism combination influenced onset age by comparing DD/CC vs. WW/TT children (8.1 ± 5.7 vs. 4.7 ± 2.1 years; P = 0.017). Moreover, mother-child genotype combination gave 5.5-years delayed onset age in favor of DD-offspring of 677 CC-mothers vs. WW-offspring of 677 TT-mothers, and it was further confirmed including any D-carrier children and any 677 T-carrier mothers (P = 0.00052). Correction for multiple comparisons maintained statistical significance for DHFR ins/del and MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms. Unexpectedly, among the very-early onset group (<2.89 years; 25th), DD-genotype inversely clustered in children and mothers (4.8% vs. 23.8% respectively), and accordingly ALL offspring of homozygous DD-mothers had increased risk to have early-onset (adjusted OR (odds ratio) = 3.08; 1.1–8.6; P = 0.03). The opposite effect DHFR promoter variant has in tuning ALL onset-time depending on who is the carrier (i.e., mother or child) might suggest a parent-origin-effect of the D-allele or a two-faced epigenetic role driven by unbalanced folate isoform availability during the in-utero leukemogenesis responsible for the wide postnatal childhood ALL latency.
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Zou M, Sun C, Liang S, Sun Y, Li D, Li L, Fan L, Wu L, Xia W. Fisher discriminant analysis for classification of autism spectrum disorders based on folate-related metabolism markers. J Nutr Biochem 2019; 64:25-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Awwad HM, Ohlmann CH, Stoeckle M, Geisel J, Obeid R. Serum concentrations of folate vitamers in patients with a newly diagnosed prostate cancer or hyperplasia. Clin Biochem 2018; 56:41-46. [PMID: 29673813 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Folate is required for synthesis of methyl groups and DNA in growing cells. The association between folate and prostate cancer (PCa) is not conclusive. METHODS We investigated concentrations of folate vitamers, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) in blood of men with PCa (n = 129) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n = 73) who were recruited just after the first diagnosis. RESULTS In younger subjects <65 years, concentrations of (6S)-5-CH3-H4folate (15.3 vs. 17.7 nmol/L) or total folate (UPLC-MS/MS) (18.7 vs. 23.0 nmol/L) did not differ between men with BPH and those with PCa, while SAM was higher in the controls (128 vs. 116 nmol/L). Younger patients with low- and high grade cancer did not differ in (6S)-5-CH3-H4folate (17.8 vs. 17.3 nmol/L) or total folate (UPLC-MS/MS) (22.9 vs. 23.3 nmol/L), but SAM was lower in patients with low grade PCa (111 vs. 126 nmol/L). In the older group ≥65 years, (6S)-5-CH3-H4folate (18.4 vs. 18.2 nmol/L) and total folate (UPLC-MS/MS) (22.5 vs. 22.1 nmol/L) did not differ between BPH and PCa. Older patients with advanced tumors had lower (6S)-5-CH3-H4folate compared with those with low grade tumor (12.8 vs. 20.0 nmol/L: p = 0.013). Plasma SAM was not different between older patients and controls and was not related to PCa grade. CONCLUSIONS Lowered serum methyl folate measured at the time of diagnosis in older patients with advanced PCa, and lowered plasma SAM in younger patients with low grade PCa suggest differential folate metabolism that may have mechanistic, prognostic or predictive values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Mohamad Awwad
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
| | | | - Michael Stoeckle
- Department of Urology, Saarland University Hospital, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Juergen Geisel
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Rima Obeid
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
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Palchetti CZ, Paniz C, de Carli E, Marchioni DM, Colli C, Steluti J, Pfeiffer CM, Fazili Z, Guerra-Shinohara EM. Association between Serum Unmetabolized Folic Acid Concentrations and Folic Acid from Fortified Foods. J Am Coll Nutr 2017; 36:572-578. [PMID: 28895788 DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2017.1333929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between serum unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) concentrations and folic acid from fortified foods and nutrients known as dietary methyl-group donors (folate, methionine, choline, betaine and vitamins B2, B6 and B12) in participants exposed to mandatory fortification of wheat and maize flours with folic acid. METHODS Cross-sectional study carried out with 144 healthy Brazilian participants, both sexes, supplement nonusers. Serum folate, UMFA, vitamin B12 and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) were biochemically measured. Dietary intake was assessed by 2 non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls (24-HRs) and deattenuated energy-adjusted nutrient data were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Ninety eight (68.1%) participants were women. Median (interquartile range) age was 35.5 (28.0-52.0) years. Elevated serum folate concentrations (>45 nmol/L) were found in 17 (11.8%), while folate deficiency (<7 nmol/L) in 10 (6.9%) participants. No one had vitamin B12 deficiency (<148 pmol/L). An elevated serum UMFA concentration was defined as > 1 nmol/L (90th percentile). UMFA concentrations were positively correlated with folic acid intake and negatively correlated to choline, methionine and vitamin B6 intakes. Participants in the lowest quartile of UMFA concentrations had lower dietary intake of total folate (DFEs) and folic acid, and higher dietary intake of methionine, choline and vitamin B6 than participants in the highest quartile of UMFA. Folic acid intake (OR [95% CI] = 1.02 [1.01-1.04)] and being a male (OR [95% CI] = 0.40 [0.19-0.87) were associated with increased and reduced odds for UMFA concentrations > 0.55 nmol/L (median values), respectively. CONCLUSION UMFA concentrations were directly influenced by folic acid intake from fortified foods in a healthy convenience sample of adult Brazilians exposed to mandatory flour fortification with folic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecília Zanin Palchetti
- a Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Clóvis Paniz
- a Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Eduardo de Carli
- b Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Dirce M Marchioni
- c Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Célia Colli
- b Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Josiane Steluti
- c Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Christine M Pfeiffer
- d National Center for Environmental Health , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , Georgia , USA
| | - Zia Fazili
- d National Center for Environmental Health , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , Georgia , USA
| | - Elvira Maria Guerra-Shinohara
- a Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
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Sicińska E, Brzozowska A, Roszkowski W, Finglas PM. Supplementation with [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate or folic acid equally reduces serum homocysteine concentrations in older adults. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2017; 69:64-73. [DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2017.1320536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Sicińska
- Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS – SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Brzozowska
- Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS – SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Roszkowski
- Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS – SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paul M. Finglas
- Norwich Research Park, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK
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Bahous RH, Jadavji NM, Deng L, Cosín-Tomás M, Lu J, Malysheva O, Leung KY, Ho MK, Pallàs M, Kaliman P, Greene ND, Bedell BJ, Caudill MA, Rozen R. High dietary folate in pregnant mice leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency and altered methyl metabolism, with embryonic growth delay and short-term memory impairment in offspring. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:888-900. [PMID: 28069796 PMCID: PMC5409086 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) generates methyltetrahydrofolate for methylation reactions. Severe MTHFR deficiency results in homocystinuria and neurologic impairment. Mild MTHFR deficiency (677C > T polymorphism) increases risk for complex traits, including neuropsychiatric disorders. Although low dietary folate impacts brain development, recent concerns have focused on high folate intake following food fortification and increased vitamin use. Our goal was to determine whether high dietary folate during pregnancy affects brain development in murine offspring. Female mice were placed on control diet (CD) or folic acid-supplemented diet (FASD) throughout mating, pregnancy and lactation. Three-week-old male pups were evaluated for motor and cognitive function. Tissues from E17.5 embryos, pups and dams were collected for choline/methyl metabolite measurements, immunoblotting or gene expression of relevant enzymes. Brains were examined for morphology of hippocampus and cortex. Pups of FASD mothers displayed short-term memory impairment, decreased hippocampal size and decreased thickness of the dentate gyrus. MTHFR protein levels were reduced in FASD pup livers, with lower concentrations of phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine in liver and hippocampus, respectively. FASD pup brains showed evidence of altered acetylcholine availability and Dnmt3a mRNA was reduced in cortex and hippocampus. E17.5 embryos and placentas from FASD dams were smaller. MTHFR protein and mRNA were reduced in embryonic liver, with lower concentrations of choline, betaine and phosphocholine. Embryonic brain displayed altered development of cortical layers. In summary, high folate intake during pregnancy leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency, disturbed choline/methyl metabolism, embryonic growth delay and memory impairment in offspring. These findings highlight the unintended negative consequences of supplemental folic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata H. Bahous
- Departments of Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nafisa M. Jadavji
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liyuan Deng
- Departments of Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marta Cosín-Tomás
- Pharmacology Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Institut de Neurociència Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Nucli Universitari de Pedralbes, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jessica Lu
- Departments of Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Olga Malysheva
- Division of Nutritional Sciences and Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kit-Yi Leung
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ming-Kai Ho
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mercè Pallàs
- Pharmacology Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Institut de Neurociència Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Nucli Universitari de Pedralbes, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Perla Kaliman
- Institute of Biomedical Investigation of Barcelona, Spanish National Research Council, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas D.E. Greene
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Barry J. Bedell
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie A. Caudill
- Division of Nutritional Sciences and Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Rima Rozen
- Departments of Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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15
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Sun C, Zou M, Zhao D, Xia W, Wu L. Efficacy of Folic Acid Supplementation in Autistic Children Participating in Structured Teaching: An Open-Label Trial. Nutrients 2016; 8:nu8060337. [PMID: 27338456 PMCID: PMC4924178 DOI: 10.3390/nu8060337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2016] [Revised: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are recognized as a major public health issue. Here, we evaluated the effects of folic acid intervention on methylation cycles and oxidative stress in autistic children enrolled in structured teaching. Sixty-six autistic children enrolled in this open-label trial and participated in three months of structured teaching. Forty-four children were treated with 400 μg folic acid (two times/daily) for a period of three months during their structured teaching (intervention group), while the remaining 22 children were not given any supplement for the duration of the study (control group). The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and Psychoeducational Profile-third edition (PEP-3) were measured at the beginning and end of the treatment period. Folic acid, homocysteine, and glutathione metabolism in plasma were measured before and after treatment in 29 autistic children randomly selected from the intervention group and were compared with 29 age-matched unaffected children (typical developmental group). The results illustrated folic acid intervention improved autism symptoms towards sociability, cognitive verbal/preverbal, receptive language, and affective expression and communication. Furthermore, this treatment also improved the concentrations of folic acid, homocysteine, and normalized glutathione redox metabolism. Folic acid supplementation may have a certain role in the treatment of children with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihong Sun
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Mingyang Zou
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Dong Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial Center For Disease Prevention and Control, Hangzhou 310009, China.
| | - Wei Xia
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
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16
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The impact of MTHFR 677 C/T genotypes on folate status markers: a meta-analysis of folic acid intervention studies. Eur J Nutr 2015; 56:247-260. [DOI: 10.1007/s00394-015-1076-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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