scholarly journals Effects of folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements on folate and homocysteine metabolism in pigs during early pregnancy

2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Guay ◽  
J. Jacques Matte ◽  
Christiane L. Girard ◽  
Marie-France Palin ◽  
Alain Giguère ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Present Experiment ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Total Content ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Diet Supplements ◽  
Uterine Secretions

The present experiment aimed to determine the effects of supplements of folic acid (FA) alone or in combination with vitamin B12 on folate and homocysteine metabolism in gestating nulliparous Yorkshire–Landrace (YL) and multiparous Landrace (LD) occidental sows and multiparous Chinese Meishan–Landrace (ML) sows. LD sows were randomly assigned to two treatments: 0 or 15 mg FA/kg diet while YL and ML sows were assigned to three treatments: 0 mg FA/kg diet, 15 mg FA/kg or 15 mg FA+160 μg vitamin B12/kg diet. Supplements were given from the oestrus preceding insemination up to slaughter on day 15 of gestation. At slaughter, a uterine flush was collected to determine uterine contents of homocysteine, methionine, tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-methyl-THF, pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) and vitamin B12. Blood samples were taken at first oestrus, at insemination and on days 5, 10 and 15 of gestation to determine plasma concentrations of homocysteine, methionine, THF, 5-methyl-THF, P5P, vitamin B12 and relative total folate-binding capacity. In occidental sows (YL and LD), the FA supplement tended to decrease uterine flush content of homocysteine (P=0·06) and concentrations of plasma homocysteine (P=0·09). Nulliparous YL sows had lower concentrations of plasma homocysteine, methionine, THF and 5-methyl-THF (P<0·05) than multiparous LD sows. Multiparous ML and LD sows had similar concentrations of plasma THF, 5-methyl-THF, methionine and vitamin B12, but ML sows had lower concentrations of plasma homocysteine (P<0·05). The vitamin B12 supplement increased concentrations of plasma vitamin B12 (P<0·05) both in multiparous ML and nulliparous YL sows, but had no effect on the composition of either uterine flush or plasma. The present results showed also that sows had a low vitamin B12 status (<200 pg/ml) and high circulating homocysteine levels (>15 μM) during the first 15 d of gestation. Furthermore, the vitamin B12 content in uterine secretions represented between 180 and 300 % of the total content in plasma. The low plasma concentrations of homocysteine in multiparous ML sows suggest a more efficient remethylation pathway which may not be dependent upon dietary supply of FA or vitamin B12. In nulliparous YL sows, low concentrations of both homocysteine and methionine suggest that the methionine requirement for protein deposition might have reduced the amount of methionine available for the methylation pathway. The results of the present experiment suggest that the reduction of uterine homocysteine may be an important aspect of the role of FA supplement on the uterine environment in occidental sows. The presence of high levels of vitamin B12 in uterine secretions merits further investigation in relation to embryonic development.

scholarly journals Interactions between plasma concentrations of folate and markers of vitamin B12status with cognitive performance in elderly people not exposed to folic acid fortification: the Hordaland Health Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 1085-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmée L. Doets ◽  
Per M. Ueland ◽  
Grethe S. Tell ◽  
Stein Emil Vollset ◽  
Ottar K. Nygård ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Folic Acid Fortification ◽  
Plasma Folate

A combination of high folate with low vitamin B12plasma status has been associated with cognitive impairment in a population exposed to mandatory folic acid fortification. The objective of the present study was to examine the interactions between plasma concentrations of folate and vitamin B12markers in relation to cognitive performance in Norwegian elderly who were unexposed to mandatory or voluntary folic acid fortification. Cognitive performance was assessed by six cognitive tests in 2203 individuals aged 72–74 years. A combined score was calculated using principal component analysis. The associations of folate concentrations, vitamin B12markers (total vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin (holoTC) and methylmalonic acid (MMA)) and their interactions in relation to cognitive performance were evaluated by quantile regression and least-squares regression, adjusted for sex, education, apo-ɛ4 genotype, history of CVD/hypertension and creatinine. Cross-sectional analyses revealed an interaction (P= 0·009) between plasma concentrations of folate and vitamin B12in relation to cognitive performance. Plasma vitamin B12concentrations in the lowest quartile ( < 274 pmol/l) combined with plasma folate concentrations in the highest quartile (>18·5 nmol/l) were associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment compared with plasma concentrations in the middle quartiles of both vitamins (OR 0·22, 95 % CI 0·05, 0·92). The interaction between folate and holoTC or MMA in relation to cognitive performance was not significant. In conclusion, this large study population unexposed to mandatory folic acid fortification showed that plasma folate, but not plasma vitamin B12, was associated with cognitive performance. Among the elderly participants with vitamin B12concentrations in the lower range, the association between plasma folate and cognitive performance was strongest.

Folic acid and vitamin B12 status of vervet monkeys used for nutritional research

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. S. Venter ◽  
H. Cloete ◽  
J. V. Seier ◽  
M. J. Faber ◽  
J. E. Fincham
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Atherogenic Diet ◽  
The Other ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Vervet Monkeys ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Competitive Protein Binding ◽  
Apparently Healthy

Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) folic acid levels, as well as plasma vitamin B12 levels were determined in Vervet monkeys ( Cercopithecus aethiops). All the vervets were apparently healthy and without symptoms or lesions typical of folic acid and/or vitamin B12 deficiencies. Competitive protein binding radioassays were used to determine folate and vitamin B12 values in animals fed 4 different diets. The B12 levels for all the groups ranged between 866 and 5867 pg/ml and showed an inverse relationship with the FA measurements. The lowest mean RBC folic acid content in a group fed an atherogenic diet for 3 years was 12·8 ng/ml. For the other 3 diets, mean RBC folic acid levels were 90·7, 132·3 and 152·8 ng/ml, respectively. A megadose of 25·6 mg of folic acid per day for 99 days was given to 3 adult males. No obvious toxic effects were observed in these animals although mean RBC folic acid levels increased to 1013 ng/ml.

Effect of Folic Acid Combined with Fluoxetine in Patients with Major Depression on Plasma Homocysteine and Vitamin B12, and Serotonin Levels in Lymphocytes

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Resler ◽  
Ren&eacute;e Lavie ◽  
Julio Campos ◽  
Salvador Mata ◽  
Mary Urbina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Vitamin B

Folic acid and vitamin B12 in reproducing sows: New concepts

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Matte ◽  
F. Guay ◽  
C. L. Girard
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Key Words Folic Acid ◽  
B Complex Vitamins ◽  
Uterine Secretions

In pig nutrition, the present gaps in the information on B-complex vitamins have important implications for empiricism and disparities in dietary recommendations. This is particularly true for folic acid (B9) and vitamin B12. Recent studies suggest that the beneficial effects of B9 on sow prolificacy may be due to enhanced embryo development and survival. Embryo synthesis of estrogens and uterine secretions of prostanoids and cytokines during attachment appear to be key factors in vitamin B9 regulation of embryo development. Nevertheless, embryo and uterine responses to B9 are often more pronounced in multiparous sows than in gilts. This parity effect on B9 responses can be attributed to the metabolic interaction with another vitamin, specifically B12. The two vitamins are essential for modulating the transfer of one-carbon groups for protein and DNA synthesis, methylation and gene expression. The metabolic pathway involved is the remethylation of methionine from an intermediary metabolite, homocysteine. A deficiency in B9 or B12 mayinduce a local or systemic accumulation of homocysteine, a powerful pro-oxidant known to impair embryo development. It appears that B12 status, which is about two times lower in gilts than in multiparous sows, could be a limiting factor for the action of vitamin B9 on uterus and embryo metabolism during the first pregnancy. Vitamin B12 status is particularly critical since, in early gestation, the sow uterus drains off a massive amount of B12, representing two to three times the B12 plasma pool. Dietary B12, at levels 10 times higher than recommended, have been found to maximize B12 status and minimize homocysteine accumulation in first parity sows. It appears that an optimum B9:B12 ratio, which has yet to be estimated, would enable vitamin B9 to have full beneficial effects on sow prolificacy. In the future, it is likely that there will be an even greater need for updated information on the requirements for B-complex vitamins given the “dietary fine tuning” that is necessary for the highly producing pigs that have been selected in recent decades. Key words: Folic acid, vitamin B12, reproduction, pig

scholarly journals Methylmalonic acid in the diagnosis of cobalt deficiency in barley-fed lambs

1989 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 729-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.P.M. O'Harte ◽  
D. G. Kennedy ◽  
W. J. Blanchflower ◽  
D. A. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Methylmalonic Acid ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Elevated Plasma ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Cobalt Deficiency ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Liquid Chromatographic

Eight lambs were fed on a cobalt-deficient whole-barley diet supplemented with urea, vitamins and minerals. Four control lambs were fed on the same diet which had been further supplemented with Co. Plasma vitamin B12 levels in the Co-depleted group declined rapidly, falling below the normal range within 5 weeks. Differences between the live weights of the animals in the two groups approached statistical significance by week 14. However, methylmalonic acid (MMA) rose above normal levels in the Co-depleted group within 7 weeks. This suggested that an elevated plasma concentration of MMA is a comparatively early indicator of functional vitamin B12 deficiency. It is recommended that 10 μmol/l be the upper level of normality for plasma MMA concentration in barley-fed animals, in contrast with the level of 5 μmol/l for grass-fed animals. Changes in the plasma concentrations of MMA and ethylmalonic acid associated with feeding the barley-based diet per se did not significantly affect the validity of the gas-liquid chromatographic assay for MMA.

scholarly journals B-vitamins, homocysteine metabolism and CVD

2004 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Strain ◽  
L. Dowey ◽  
M. Ward ◽  
K. Pentieva ◽  
H. McNulty
Keyword(s):  
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Independent Predictor ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Mthfr Gene ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Pathophysiological Mechanism

The present review focuses on the B-vitamins, i.e. folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6and riboflavin, that are involved in homocysteine metabolism. Homocysteine is a S-containing amino acid and its plasma concentrations can be raised by various constitutive, genetic and lifestyle factors, by inadequate nutrient status and as a result of systemic disease and various drugs. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is a modest independent predictor of CVD and stroke, but causality and the precise pathophysiological mechanism(s) of homocysteine action remain unproven. The predominant nutritional cause of raised plasma homocysteine in most healthy populations is folate insufficiency. Vitamin B12and, to a lesser extent, vitamin B6are also effective at lowering plasma homocysteine, especially after homocysteine lowering by folic acid in those individuals presenting with raised plasma homocysteine. However, riboflavin supplementation appears to be effective at lowering plasma homocysteine only in those individuals homozygous for the T allele of the C677 T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. This gene codes for the MTHFR enzyme that produces methyltetrahydrofolate, which, in turn, is a substrate for the remethylation of homocysteine by the vitamin B12-dependent enzyme methionine synthase. Individuals with the MTHFR 677 TT genotype are genetically predisposed to elevated plasma homocysteine, and in most populations have a markedly higher risk of CVD.

Homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in relation to pre- and postnatal health aspects

2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rima Obeid ◽  
Wolfgang Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Pregnancy Complications ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
Early Abortion

AbstractStudies linking hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) and B-vitamin deficiency to some health aspects in children have been accumulating. Low B-vitamin status inearly life, even as early as the time of conception, may endanger the potential for new life and may negatively influence the health of the offspring. Early abortion, pregnancy complications and poor pregnancy outcomes have been linked to elevated concentrations of total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and low folate or vitamin B

scholarly journals Study of plasma homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B-12 levels for radiation exposed transplanted solid Ehirlich tumors

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-691
Author(s):  
A.A. Elhadary ◽  
E.A. Marzook ◽  
A.M. Kamal ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Vitamin B 12

scholarly journals Evaluation of the cobalt requirement of beef cattle based on vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine and methylmalonic acid

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 645-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. I. Stangl ◽  
F. J. Schwarz ◽  
H. Müller ◽  
M. Kirchgessner
Keyword(s):  
Linear Model ◽  
Methylmalonic Acid ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Response Criterion ◽  
Quadratic Model ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Line Model ◽  
Growing Cattle

This investigation was designed to estimate the Co requirement of growing cattle on the basis of plasma and liver levels of vitamin B12 and folate, plasma levels of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) and haematological variables. For this purpose thirty-four male intact cattle of the German Simmental breed (236 kg) were assigned randomly to ten groups and were fed corn silage-based diets which contained 70, 90, 109, 147, 184, 257, 327, 421, 589 or 689 μg Co/kg DM for 40 weeks. One-slope broken-line model analysis and a quadratic model with plateau were used to estimate the Co requirement. The broken-line model estimated the dietary Co requirement of growing cattle to be 257 (SE 29) ΜG/KG DIETARY DM BASED ON PLASMA VITAMIN B12 AS RESPONSE CRITERION. THE DIETARY CO LEVELS NEEDED TO MAXIMISE THE LIVER VITAMIN B12 AND LIVER FOLATE WERE 236 (se 8) and 190 (se 8) μg/kg dietary DM respectively. Plasma folate did not show any response to the different Co levels. The dietary Co was inversely correlated with the plasma concentrations of homocysteine and MMA. Estimates of the dietary Co concentration required to minimise homocysteine were 161 (se 10) μg/kg DM. When MMA was used as response criterion, the linear model yielded a Co requirement of 124 (se 3) μg/kg dietary DM. The quadratic model did not provide a better closeness of regression fit and yielded similar requirements to the linear model. Haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit tended to have a slight response to increasing dietary Co and were only decreased in cattle on diets containing less than 100 μg Co/kg DM. On the basis of the present data, recommended levels of dietary Co for normal folate metabolism and minimum homocysteine and MMA levels can be set to be 150–200 μg/kg DM; for maximum vitamin B12 levels, the desired Co content in the diet seems to be 250 μg/kg DM.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document