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Al Jassem O, Kheir K, Ismail A, Abou-Abbas L, Masri A, Haddad C, Nasrallah K. Vitamin B12 deficiency and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Lebanon: A cross-sectional study of vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297976. [PMID: 38630748 PMCID: PMC11023582 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin B12 deficiency is responsible for a variety of complications, particularly neurological/neuropsychiatric complications, including depression, irritability, paresthesia and insomnia. Since vitamin B12 is found in animal-derived products, vegans/vegetarians are at a greater risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency. AIMS This study aims to investigate the occurrence of vitamin B12 deficiency among a sample of adult Lebanese population, with a particular emphasis on assessing the severity of its neurological/neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms, especially among vegans/vegetarians. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 483 Lebanese adults. Data was collected through a standardized questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized anxiety disorders-7 (GAD-7), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scales. RESULTS Among the participants, 11.4% were in the vegan/vegetarian group, and about 43.1% had vitamin B12 deficiency. After analyzing the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and ISI total scores, higher scores were reported in participants with vitamin B12 deficiency, compared to individuals with normal vitamin B12 serum levels (p < 0.001). Regarding the diet type, vegans/vegetarians were more susceptible to developing depression compared to omnivores (mean scores of 11.92 vs 8.02 on the PHQ-9 scale, respectively, with p < 0.001). Of the patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, 81.1% reported having paresthesia compared to 43.7% of individuals with no vitamin B12 deficiency (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Vitamin B12 deficiency in Lebanon is notably high and is linked to an increased risk of developing depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and paresthesia. Vegans/vegetarians exhibit a higher susceptibility to developing depression compared to omnivores, whereas the risk of developing insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder and paresthesia was statistically insignificant when comparing vegans/vegetarians to omnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Al Jassem
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Center, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Karim Kheir
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali Ismail
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Center, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Linda Abou-Abbas
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Center, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- INSPECT-LB, Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Alaa Masri
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Celine Haddad
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Center, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Khalil Nasrallah
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Center, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Hoteit M, Khadra R, Fadlallah Z, Mourad Y, Chahine M, Skaiki F, Al Manasfi E, Chahine A, Poh OBJ, Tzenios N. Prevalence and Time Trends of Low Serum B12 Levels and Inadequate B12 Dietary Intake in Lebanese Adults amidst the Food Insecurity Situation: Findings from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:226. [PMID: 38257119 PMCID: PMC10818865 DOI: 10.3390/nu16020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rising food insecurity (FI) and the increased prices of animal-based foods could compromise vitamin B12 (B12) intake and serum levels in food-insecure people. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of low levels of serum B12 and its inadequate dietary intake among a nationally representative sample of Lebanese adults aged 18 to 64 years, while exploring the impact of FI and identifying other potential predictors. The B12 intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and the mean of two non-consecutive 24 h recalls. The B12 serum levels were also examined. To examine the time trends in the B12 serum levels and dietary intake, the data from a large representative digitized database of 6290 participants were collected, along with the examination of FAOSTAT food consumption data both before and during the economic crisis period. Our findings revealed that 47.3% of households in Lebanon experienced FI. The inadequate intake of B12 food sources was prevalent in 52.5% of participants, and 61.1% presented with low (23%) or intermediate (38.1%) levels of serum B12. The food-secure households had a higher proportion of B12 intake from meats (p = 0.004), while traditional foods contributed more to food-insecure households (p = 0.000). The participants who were female, unemployed, food-insecure, and had low dietary diversity were about two to three times more likely to have inadequate B12 intake. The predictors of low levels of serum B12 included residing in Beqaa (OR = 2.856 and 95% CI = 1.018-8.01) and having inadequate B12 intake (OR = 1.788 and 95% CI = 1.2-2.65). The findings from observing the time trends in the consumption and the serum levels of B12 indicate a considerable decline in the consumption of most animal-based foods compared to the pre-crisis period, associated with a decline in the serum levels of B12. In conclusion, an alarming prevalence of low dietary intake and low serum levels of B12 was revealed among Lebanese adults, and the indirect effect of FI on B12 serum levels mediated through B12 intake was inferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Hoteit
- Food Sciences Unit, National Council for Scientific Research-Lebanon (CNRS-L), Beirut P.O. Box 11-8281, Lebanon (Z.F.)
- Faculty of Public Health, Section 1, Lebanese University, Beirut P.O. Box 6573, Lebanon
| | - Razan Khadra
- Food Sciences Unit, National Council for Scientific Research-Lebanon (CNRS-L), Beirut P.O. Box 11-8281, Lebanon (Z.F.)
| | - Zahraa Fadlallah
- Food Sciences Unit, National Council for Scientific Research-Lebanon (CNRS-L), Beirut P.O. Box 11-8281, Lebanon (Z.F.)
| | - Youmna Mourad
- Al Hadi Laboratory and IVF Center, Beirut 1103, Lebanon;
| | - Mohamad Chahine
- Biological and Chemical Technology, Kursk State Medical University, 305000 Kursk, Russia;
| | - Farouk Skaiki
- Department of Molecular Biology, General Management, Al Karim Medical Laboratories, Saida 1600, Lebanon;
| | | | | | | | - Nikolaos Tzenios
- Faculty of Public Health, Charisma University, London EC1V 7QE, UK
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Exploration of Microneedle-assisted Skin Delivery of Cyanocobalamin formulated in Ultraflexible Lipid Vesicles. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2022; 177:184-198. [PMID: 35787430 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency is a widespread condition because of its different aetiologies, like malabsorption syndrome or lifestyles as strict veganism that is increasing its incidence and prevalence in developed countries. It has important haematological consequences that require pharmacological treatment. Current therapy consists of oral or parenteral supplements of cyanocobalamin; however, the oral route is discarded for malabsorption syndrome patients and the parenteral route is not well accepted generally. Topical treatments have been suggested as an alternative, but the molecular weight and hydrophilicity of cyanocobalamin limits its diffusion through the skin. Lipid vesicles can allow the transdermal absorption of molecules >500 Da. The aim of this work was to use different ultraflexible lipid vesicles (transfersomes and ethosomes) to enhance cyanocobalamin transdermal delivery. Vesicles were characterized and lyophilised for long-term stability. The ability to deliver cyanocobalamin through the skin was assessed in vitro using full-thickness porcine skin in Franz diffusion cells. As expected, the best transdermal fluxes were provided by ultraflexible vesicles, in comparison to a drug solution. Moreover, the pre-treatment of the skin with a solid microneedle array boosts the amount of drug that could potentially reach the systemic circulation.
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Diagnostic Accuracy of Holotranscobalamin, Vitamin B12, Methylmalonic Acid, and Homocysteine in Detecting B12 Deficiency in a Large, Mixed Patient Population. DISEASE MARKERS 2020; 2020:7468506. [PMID: 32089757 PMCID: PMC7017578 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7468506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Four biomarkers are commonly employed to diagnose B12 deficiency: vitamin B12 (B12), holotranscobalamin (HoloTC), methylmalonic acid (MMA), and homocysteine (Hcy). 4cB12, a combined index of the B12 status, has been suggested to improve the recognition of B12 deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the four different markers for detecting B12 deficiency, as determined by 4cB12. Within a large, mixed patient population, 11,833 samples had concurrent measurements of B12, HoloTC, MMA, and Hcy. 4cB12 was calculated according to the methods described by Fedosov. Diagnostic cutoffs as well as diagnostic accuracy for the detection of B12 deficiency were assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The median age was 56 years, and women accounted for 58.8% of the samples. Overall, the area under the curve (AUC) for the detection of subclinical B12 deficiency was highest for HoloTC (0.92), followed by MMA (0.91), B12 (0.9) and Hcy (0.78). The difference between HoloTC and B12 was driven by a significantly higher AUC for HoloTC (0.93) than for B12 (0.89), MMA (0.91), and Hcy in women 50 years and older (0.79; p < 0.05 for all). In the detection of subclinical B12 deficiency, there were no significant differences in the AUCs of HoloTC, B12, and MMA among men and women <50 years. In conclusion, in women < 50 years and in men, HoloTC, MMA, or Hcy do not appear superior to B12 for the detection of B12 deficiency. For women 50 years and older, HoloTC seems to be the preferred first-line marker for the detection of subclinical B12 deficiency.
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Abstract
The biosynthesis of B12, involving up to 30 different enzyme-mediated steps, only occurs in bacteria. Thus, most eukaryotes require an external source of B12, and yet the vitamin appears to have only two functions in eukaryotes: as a cofactor for the enzymes methionine synthase and methylmalonylCoA mutase. These two functions are crucial for normal health in humans, and in particular, the formation of methionine is essential for providing methyl groups for over 100 methylation processes. Interference with the methionine synthase reaction not only depletes the body of methyl groups but also leads to the accumulation of homocysteine, a risk factor for many diseases. The syndrome pernicious anemia, characterized by lack of intrinsic factor, leads to a severe, sometimes fatal form of B12 deficiency. However, there is no sharp cutoff for B12 deficiency; rather, there is a continuous inverse relationship between serum B12 and a variety of undesirable outcomes, including neural tube defects, stroke, and dementia. The brain is particularly vulnerable; in children, inadequate B12 stunts brain and intellectual development. Suboptimal B12 status (serum B12<300pmol/L) is very common, occurring in 30%-60% of the population, in particular in pregnant women and in less-developed countries. Thus, many tens of millions of people in the world may suffer harm from having a poor B12 status. Public health steps are urgently needed to correct this inadequacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A David Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Martin J Warren
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Helga Refsum
- Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Risch M, Meier DW, Sakem B, Medina Escobar P, Risch C, Nydegger U, Risch L. Vitamin B12 and folate levels in healthy Swiss senior citizens: a prospective study evaluating reference intervals and decision limits. BMC Geriatr 2015; 15:82. [PMID: 26163013 PMCID: PMC4499201 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-015-0060-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vitamin B12 and folate status in nonanaemic healthy older persons needs attention the more so as decrease in levels may be anticipated from reduced haematinic provision and/or impaired intestinal uptake. METHODS A total of 1143 subjectively healthy Swiss midlands participants (637 females and 506 males), ≥60 years of age were included in this study. Levels of vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin (holoTC), methylmalonic acid (MMA), homocysteine (Hcy), serum folate, red blood cell (RBC) folate were measured. Further, Fedosov's wellness score was determined. Associations of age, gender, and cystatin C/creatinine-based estimated kidney function, with the investigated parameters were assessed. Reference intervals were calculated. Further, ROC analysis was done to assess accuracy of the individual parameters in recognizing a deficient vitamin B12 status. Finally, decision limits for sensitive, specific and optimal recognition of vitamin B12 status with individual parameters were derived. RESULTS Three age groups: 60-69, 70-79 and ≥ 80 had median B12 (pmol/L) levels of 237, 228 and 231 respectively (p = 0.22), holoTC (pmol/L) of 52, 546 and 52 (p = 0.60) but Hcy (μmol/L) 12, 15 and 16 (p < 0.001), MMA (nmol/L) 207, 221 and 244 (p < 0.001). Hcy and MMA (both p < 0.001), but not holoTC (p = 0.12) and vitamin B12 (p = 0.44) were found to be affected by kidney function. In a linear regression model Fedosov's wellness score was independently associated with kidney function (p < 0.001) but not with age. Total serum folate and red blood cell (RBC) folate drift apart with increasing age: whereas the former decreases (p = 0.01) RBC folate remains in the same bandwidth across all age groups (p = 0.12) A common reference interval combining age and gender strata can be obtained for vitamin B12 and holoTC, whereas a more differentiated approach seems warranted for serum folate and RBC folate. CONCLUSION Whereas the vitamin B12 and holoTC levels remain steady after 60 years of age, we observed a significant increment in MMA levels accompanied by increments in Hcy; this is better explained by age-related reduced kidney function than by vitamin B12 insufficiency. Total serum folate levels but not RBC folate levels decreased with progressing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Risch
- Kantonsspital Graubünden, Zentrallabor, Loësstrasse 170, Chur, 7000, Switzerland.
| | - Dominik W Meier
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr. Risch, Waldeggstrasse 37, Liebefeld, 3097, Switzerland.
| | - Benjamin Sakem
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr. Risch, Waldeggstrasse 37, Liebefeld, 3097, Switzerland.
| | - Pedro Medina Escobar
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr. Risch, Waldeggstrasse 37, Liebefeld, 3097, Switzerland.
| | - Corina Risch
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr. Risch, Waldeggstrasse 37, Liebefeld, 3097, Switzerland.
| | - Urs Nydegger
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr. Risch, Waldeggstrasse 37, Liebefeld, 3097, Switzerland.
| | - Lorenz Risch
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr. Risch, Waldeggstrasse 37, Liebefeld, 3097, Switzerland. .,Private University Triesen, Triesen, 9495, Liechtenstein.
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