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Lucock MD. Vitomics: A novel paradigm for examining the role of vitamins in human biology. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300127. [PMID: 37727095 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300127] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The conventional view of vitamins reflects a diverse group of small molecules that facilitate critical aspects of metabolism and prevent potentially fatal deficiency syndromes. However, vitamins also contribute to the shaping and maintenance of the human phenome over lifecycle and evolutionary timescales, enabling a degree of phenotypic plasticity that operates to allow adaptive responses that are appropriate to key periods of sensitivity (i.e., epigenetic response during prenatal development within the lifecycle or as an evolved response to environmental challenge over a great many lifecycles). Individually, vitamins are important, but their effect is often based on nutrient-nutrient (vitamin-vitamin), nutrient-gene (vitamin-gene), and gene-gene interactions, and the environmental influence of shifting geophysical cycles, as well as evolving cultural practices. These ideas will be explored within what I refer to as the "adaptive vitome (vitomics)" paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Lucock
- School of Environmental & Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia
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Yao S, Chen X, Zhou Y, Xu L, Zhang Q, Bao S, Feng H, Ge W. The association between altitude and serum folate levels in Tibetan adults on the Tibetan plateau. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17886. [PMID: 36284137 PMCID: PMC9596477 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22968-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between residence altitude and serum folate levels in healthy Tibetans living on the Tibetan Plateau. Participants were selected from those who underwent physical examinations at our health center between November 2019 and February 2020. Demographic characteristics and medical histories were collected, and fasting blood was tested for serum folate and other hematological indicators. The relationship between altitude and serum folate levels was analyzed using a multivariable linear regression model. Serum folate levels were associated with altitude (β = - 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.71; - 0.16), hemoglobin (β = - 0.01; 95% CI - 0.03; - 0.00), red blood cells (β = - 0.72; 95% CI - 1.18; - 0.27), hematocrit (β = - 0.07; 95% CI - 0.12; - 0.02), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = 2.67; 95% CI 1.35; 3.98), and sex (β = 0.68; 95% CI 0.12; 1.23). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that altitude was negatively associated with serum folate levels. After adjusting for confounding factors, serum folate levels decreased by 0.33 ng/mL per each 500-m increase in altitude (β = - 0.33; 95% CI - 0.6; - 0.05; P = 0.022). Altitude was negatively associated with serum folate levels in Tibetan adults. The relationship between altitude and folate levels should be further explored in populations of different races and disease states. Further large-scale prospective studies should illustrate the causality of this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoli Yao
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xiwen Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shimin Bao
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huiru Feng
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Weihong Ge
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Lucock M. Vitamin-related phenotypic adaptation to exposomal factors: The folate-vitamin D-exposome triad. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 87:100944. [PMID: 33551238 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.100944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The biological role of two key vitamins, folic acid and vitamin D is so fundamental to life processes, it follows that their UV sensitivity, dietary abundance (both key exposomal factors) and variability in dependent genes will modify their functional efficacy, particularly in the context of maintaining the integrity and function of genome and epigenome. This article therefore examines folate and vitamin D-related phenotypic adaptation to environmental factors which vary across the human life cycle as well as over an evolutionary time-scale. Molecular mechanisms, key nutrigenomic factors, phenotypic maladaptation and evolutionary models are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lucock
- School of Environmental & Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, PO Box 127, Brush Rd, Ourimbah, NSW, 2258, Australia.
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Lucock MD. A Brief Introduction to the Exposome and Human Health. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH AND HYPOTHESIS IN MEDICINE 2020; 000:1-6. [DOI: 10.14218/erhm.2020.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Principi N, Esposito S. Vitamin D Deficiency During Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorders Development. Front Psychiatry 2020; 10:987. [PMID: 32082196 PMCID: PMC7006052 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by reduced social interactions, impaired communications, and stereotypic and repetitive behavior with different degrees of severity. The etiology of autism spectrum disorder is unknown, although the interaction of genetic and environmental factors is believed to play a fundamental role in the process. The main aim of this narrative review is to discuss the current knowledge about the interrelationships between vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder development. Literature analysis showed that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy plays a role in conditioning the development and function of the nervous system. Studies carried out in vitro and in experimental animals have shown that vitamin D deficiency can be associated with structural and functional abnormalities of the nervous system that can be observed in autism spectrum disorder patients. Moreover, it has been reported that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy could be a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder development in the offspring, that children with autism spectrum disorder have significantly lower serum levels of vitamin D than normal children and that supplementation of vitamin D in autism spectrum disorder children is associated with a reduction in psychiatric manifestations. However, the data currently available do not adequately support the hypothesis that vitamin D may be a factor which contribute to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder. The effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy should be better studied to establish whether and when fetal vulnerability is highest and if vitamin D supplementation is able to reduce the risk of structural and functional alterations of the nervous system and autism spectrum disorder development. The role of vitamin D after birth must be better defined to evaluate if vitamin D administration is potentially effective in reducing autism spectrum disorder manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic, Pietro Barilla Children's Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Lucock M, Jones P, Martin C, Yates Z, Veysey M, Furst J, Beckett E. Photobiology of vitamins. Nutr Rev 2018; 76:512-525. [DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuy013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lucock
- School of Environmental & Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Patrice Jones
- School of Environmental & Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charlotte Martin
- School of Environmental & Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zoe Yates
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Martin Veysey
- Hull-York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - John Furst
- School of Mathematical & Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emma Beckett
- School of Environmental & Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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Budni J, Molz S, Dal-Cim T, Martín-de-Saavedra MD, Egea J, Lopéz MG, Tasca CI, Rodrigues ALS. Folic Acid Protects Against Glutamate-Induced Excitotoxicity in Hippocampal Slices Through a Mechanism that Implicates Inhibition of GSK-3β and iNOS. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:1580-1589. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0425-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Lucock M, Beckett E, Martin C, Jones P, Furst J, Yates Z, Jablonski NG, Chaplin G, Veysey M. UV‐associated decline in systemic folate: implications for human nutrigenetics, health, and evolutionary processes. Am J Hum Biol 2016; 29. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lucock
- School of Environmental and Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush RdOurimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - Emma Beckett
- School of Environmental and Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush RdOurimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - Charlotte Martin
- School of Environmental and Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush RdOurimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - Patrice Jones
- School of Environmental and Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush RdOurimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - John Furst
- School of Maths and Physical SciencesUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush RdOurimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - Zoe Yates
- School of Biomedical Sciences and PharmacyUniversity of NewcastlePO Box 127, Brush RdOurimbah NSW2258 Australia
| | - Nina G. Jablonski
- Anthropology DepartmentThe Pennsylvania State University409 Carpenter BuildingUniversity Park Pennsylvania16802
| | - George Chaplin
- Anthropology DepartmentThe Pennsylvania State University409 Carpenter BuildingUniversity Park Pennsylvania16802
| | - Martin Veysey
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia and, Central Coast Local Health DistrictTeaching and Research Unit, Gosford HospitalGosford NSW2250PO Box 361 Australia
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Lucock M, Jones P, Martin C, Beckett E, Yates Z, Furst J, Veysey M. Vitamin D. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med 2015; 20:310-22. [DOI: 10.1177/2156587215580491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in vitamin D and the VDR gene is increasing as putative roles in human health and evolutionary processes are explored. This review looks beyond the classic biochemistry that links vitamin D to calcium homeostasis; it explores how vitamin D interacts with light in a broader perspective than simple skin photosynthesis. It examines how the vitamin influences circadian rhythm, and how it may have helped drive the evolution of skin pigmentation. To this end, the nutrient–nutrient relationship with folate is also explored. The VDR gene is additionally examined as a factor in the evolutionary selection of skin depigmentation at higher latitudes to allow vitamin D synthesis. Evidence is given to show that VDR polymorphisms exhibit a latitudinal gradient in allele prevalence consistent with such a paradigm. Overall, the review examines new evo-devo ideas that link light-sensitive vitamins to human health/phenotype, both within and across the lifecycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lucock
- University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Patrice Jones
- University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Emma Beckett
- University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zoe Yates
- University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Furst
- University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Martin Veysey
- Central Coast Local Health District, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
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Lucock M, Yates Z, Martin C, Choi JH, Boyd L, Tang S, Naumovski N, Furst J, Roach P, Jablonski N, Chaplin G, Veysey M. Vitamin D, folate, and potential early lifecycle environmental origin of significant adult phenotypes. EVOLUTION MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 2014:69-91. [PMID: 24699387 PMCID: PMC4001294 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eou013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Solar radiation early in pregnancy interacts with light sensitive vitamins to influence an embryo's genetic profile. This influences both adult disease risk and may play a role in the evolution of skin colour. Background and objectives: Vitamin D and folate are highly UV sensitive, and critical for maintaining health throughout the lifecycle. This study examines whether solar irradiance during the first trimester of pregnancy influences vitamin D receptor (VDR) and nuclear folate gene variant occurrence, and whether affected genes influence late-life biochemical/clinical phenotypes. Methodology: 228 subjects were examined for periconceptional exposure to solar irradiance, variation in vitamin D/folate genes (polymerase chain reaction (PCR)), dietary intake (food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)) and important adult biochemical/clinical phenotypes. Results: Periconceptional solar irradiance was associated with VDR-BsmI (P = 0.0008wk7), TaqI (P = 0.0014wk7) and EcoRV (P = 0.0030wk6) variant occurrence between post-conceptional weeks 6–8, a period when ossification begins. Similar effects were detected for other VDR gene polymorphisms. Periconceptional solar irradiance was also associated with 19 bp del-DHFR (P = 0.0025wk6), and to a lesser extent C1420T-SHMT (P = 0.0249wk6), a folate-critical time during embryogenesis. These same genes were associated with several late-life phenotypes: VDR-BsmI, TaqI and ApaI determined the relationship between dietary vitamin D and both insulin (P < 0.0001/BB, 0.0007/tt and 0.0173/AA, respectively) and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.0290/Bb, 0.0299/Tt and 0.0412/AA, respectively), making them important early and late in the lifecycle. While these and other phenotype associations were found for the VDR variants, folate polymorphism associations in later-life were limited to C1420T-SHMT (P = 0.0037 and 0.0297 for fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, respectively). We additionally report nutrient–gene relationships with body mass index, thiol/folate metabolome, cognition, depression and hypertension. Furthermore, photoperiod at conception influenced occurrence of VDR-Tru9I and 2R3R-TS genotypes (P = 0.0120 and 0.0360, respectively). Conclusions and implications: Findings identify environmental and nutritional agents that may interact to modify gene–phenotype relationships across the lifecycle, offering new insight into human ecology. This includes factors related to both disease aetiology and the evolution of skin pigmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lucock
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Maths and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, PO Box 127, Brush Road, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia, The Pennsylvania State University, Anthropology Department, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA, and Teaching and Research Unit, Central Coast Local Health District, PO Box 361, Gosford, NSW 2250, Australia
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Lucock MD, Martin CE, Yates ZR, Veysey M. Diet and our genetic legacy in the recent anthropocene: a Darwinian perspective to nutritional health. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med 2013; 19:68-83. [PMID: 24647381 DOI: 10.1177/2156587213503345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrient-gene research tends to focus on human disease, although such interactions are often a by-product of our evolutionary heritage. This review explores health in this context, reframing genetic variation/epigenetic phenomena linked to diet in the framework of our recent evolutionary past. This "Darwinian/evolutionary medicine" approach examines how diet helped us evolve among primates and to adapt (or fail to adapt) our metabolome to specific environmental conditions leading to major diseases of civilization. This review presents updated evidence from a diet-gene perspective, portraying discord that exists with respect to health and our overall nutritional, cultural, and activity patterns. While Darwinian theory goes beyond nutritional considerations, a significant component within this concept does relate to nutrition and the mismatch between genes, modern diet, obesogenic lifestyle, and health outcomes. The review argues that nutritional sciences should expand knowledge on the evolutionary connection between food and disease, assimilating it into clinical training with greater prominence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Lucock
- University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
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UVB exposure of farm animals: study on a food-based strategy to bridge the gap between current vitamin D intakes and dietary targets. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69418. [PMID: 23894475 PMCID: PMC3722170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ultraviolet (UV) B radiation for improving vitamin D3 content of eggs and meat. In a two-factorial design hens that received diets with 0 (-D3) or 3,000 IU (+D3) vitamin D3/kg were non-exposed (-UVB) or exposed to UVB radiation (+UVB) for 3 h daily over 4 weeks. Data show that UVB radiation was very effective in raising the vitamin D3 content of egg yolk and meat. Egg yolk from +UVB/−D3 hens had a higher vitamin D3 content (17.5±7.2 µg/100 g dry matter (DM)) than those from the –UVB/+D3 group (5.2±2.4 µg/100 g DM, p<0.01). Vitamin D3 content in egg yolk of vitamin D3-supplemented hens could be further increased by UVB radiation (32.4±10.9 µg/100 g DM). The content of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) in the egg yolk also increased in response to UVB, although less pronounced than vitamin D3. Meat revealed about 4-fold higher vitamin D3 contents in response to UVB than to dietary vitamin D3 (p<0.001). In conclusion, exposure of hens to UVB is an efficient approach to provide consumers with vitamin D3-enriched foods from animal sources.
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Lucock M, Leeming R. Autism, seasonality and the environmental perturbation of epigenome related vitamin levels. Med Hypotheses 2013; 80:750-5. [PMID: 23566657 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
An argument is put forward for environmental modulators of photolabile or photosynthetic vitamins mediating autism risk via a complex downstream interaction of genetic/epigenetic phenomena that provide an explanation for seasonality in this and other developmentally originated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lucock
- Molecular Nutrition Laboratory, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
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