Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine in postmenopausal women in Burkina Faso

Author(s):  
Rosa Chillemi ◽  
Jacques Simpore ◽  
Silvia Persichilli ◽  
Angelo Minucci ◽  
Alfonsina D'Agata ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground: Low levels of plasma homocysteine have been found in children and adult populations living in Burkina Faso in association with a low prevalence of coronary heart disease. Methods: Based on this finding, the levels of plasma homocysteine and other thiols (cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutathione) in postmenopausal women living in Burkina Faso were evaluated with the aim of investigating whether age and life conditions influence plasma homocysteine and other thiol levels. Results: It was found that in older postmenopausal women the mean level of homocysteine was higher (16.4±6.6 μmol/L) than in fertile women (6.8±1.2μmol/L) and that thisincrease was correlated with cysteine levels (166.6±44.6μmol/L). While the glutathione level in postmenopausal women was lower (3.6±2.3μmol/L) compared with fertile women (7.0±1.7μmol/L), cysteinylglycine levels were within the normal range (29.9±9.3μmol/L). No correlation was found between homocysteine levels and serum folate, vitamin B

1978 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. B. Sanders ◽  
F. R. Ellis ◽  
J. W. T. Dickerson

1. The concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate in the serum and folate in the erythrocytes were determined and full blood counts made on a series of caucasian vegans and omnivore controls.2. The blood counts and films were normal in all the vegans and no subject had a haemoglobin concentration below the lower limit of normality.3. Although within the normal range, male but not female vegans had lower values for erythrocyte counts and higher values for mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin than their controls regardless of whether they were taking vitamin B12 supplements or not.4. The mean serum vitamin B12 concentration was lower in the vegans not taking vitamin B12 supplements and in those using foods supplemented with the vitamin than in the controls, but in no subject was it below 80 ng/l.5. The serum folate concentrations were higher in the vegans than in their controls. The mean value for erythrocyte folate tended to be greater in the vegans not taking vitamin B12 supplements. No subject had an erythrocyte folate concentration of less than 100μg/l.6. It is concluded that megaloblastic anaemia is very rare in caucasian vegans and that a diet consisting entirely of plant foods is generally adequate to promote normal blood formation providing it is composed of a mixture of unrefined cereals, pulses, nuts, fruit and vegetables and is supplemented with vitamin B12.


2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marja-Leena Silaste ◽  
Maire Rantala ◽  
Georg Alfthan ◽  
Antti Aro ◽  
Y. Antero Kesäniemi

High plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration is reported to be a risk factor for vascular diseases. We investigated the extent to which serum folate and plasma tHcy respond to a high intake of natural folate from food. Thirty-seven healthy females volunteered to participate in a crossover dietary intervention. The study included a baseline period and two 5-week diet periods (low- and high-folate diets) with a 3-week washout in between. The low-folate diet contained one serving of both vegetables and frui/, while during the high-folate diet the subjects ate at least seven servings of vegetables, berries, and citrus frui/. Serum and erythrocyte (RBC) folate, serum vitamin B12, and plasma tHcy concentrations were measured at the baseline and at the end of each diet period. The mean concentrations of serum and RBC folate were 11·0 (sd 3·0) nmo/ and 412 (sd 120) nmo/ at the end of the low-folate diet and 78 (95 % CI 62, 94) % and 14 (95 % CI 8, 20) % higher in response to the high-folate diet (P<0·001). The serum concentration of vitamin B12remained unchanged during the intervention. The mean plasma tHcy concentration was 8·0 μmo/ at the end of the low-folate diet and decreased by 13 (95 % CI 9, 18) % in response to the high-folate diet (P<0·001). In conclusion, a diet high in fresh berries, citrus fruit, and vegetables effectively increases serum and RBC folate and decreases plasma homocysteine.


VASA ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Al-Awami ◽  
Schillinger ◽  
Maca ◽  
Gschwandtner ◽  
Bieglmayer ◽  
...  

Background: Patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) have vasomotor dysregulation, mainly caused by dysfunction of the endothelium. Since homocysteine has been found to be damaging to endothelial cells, we investigated the concentrations of plasma homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in patients with primary or secondary RP compared to healthy individuals. Patients and methods: We measured the concentrations of plasma fasting homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in a group of healthy individuals (n = 45) and in patients with primary (n = 26) or secondary RP (n = 42). Results: Median homocysteine levels in healthy controls and in patients with primary RP, secondary RP were 7.9 (IQR 4.1 to 11.8) 9.8 (IQR 5.1 to14.4), and 10.6 (6.0 to15.3) mumol/L, respectively. Patients with primary and secondary RP had significantly higher homocysteine concentration compared to healthy controls (Kruskal Wallis p = 0.01). After matching for age and sex, patients with either primary or secondary RP showed significantly higher homocysteine levels (Wilcoxon p < 0.0001). No significant differences between the three groups were found concerning serum levels of vitamin B12 (p = 0.9 ) and serum folate levels (p = 0.2). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that patients with RP have higher plasma levels of homocysteine. No significant differences in folate and vitamin B12 levels were found between patients with primary RP, secondary RP, and healthy individuals.These data suggest that homocysteine may play a role in RP and may provide new clues in understanding of the vasomotor dysregulation.


2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Velibor Čabarkapa ◽  
Zoran Stošić ◽  
Radmila Žeravica ◽  
Branislava Ilinčić ◽  
Ana Filipović

The Importance of Holotranscobalamin MeasurementClinically significant vitamin B12deficiency can occur even with total vitamin B12levels apparently within normal range. There is an indeterminate zone between approximately 154 and 300 pmol/L of vitamin B12where there is likely misclassification of B12status if relying on total serum B12. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of holotranscobalamin in diagnosis of B12deficiency. Blood samples were collected and subjected to assays for vitamin B12and holotranscobalamin. We examined the levels of holotranscobalamin in 32 subjects (n=32, f=18, m=14) with vitamin B12values within interval 154-300 pmol/L. These subjects were compared with control group with vitamin B12>300 pmol/L (n=31, f=17, m=14). 25% of subjects with vitamin B12of 154 to 300 pmol/L had low levels of holotranscobalamin. Holotranscobalamin levels of patients with vitamin B12of 154 to 300 pmol/L were significantly lower than those of control subjects (38.55 ± 23.0 vs. 61.35 ± 31.81 pmol/L, p<0.01). The obtained results also show a positive significant relationship between levels of holotranscobalamin and vitamin B12(r=0.53, p<0.01). In conclusion, holotranscobalamin is a better indicator of early vitamin B12deficiency than total serum cobalamins and it is a useful tool in the diagnosis of vitamin B12deficiency.


2021 ◽  
pp. 160-161
Author(s):  
Dinesh Kumar ◽  
Mahesh Kumar Gupta ◽  
Sunil Gothwal ◽  
Umesh Gurjar ◽  
Kailash Kumar Meena ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND- Exact incidence of ITS is not known but it was accounted for 0.2 to 2% pediatric hospital admissions in 1962 and reduced to 0.2% currently in India. Aims of this study to estimate Vitamin B level 12 and folate in children with Infantile Tremor Syndrome METHODS- This Hospital based cross sectional observational study was conducted in, Sir Padampat Mother and Child Health Institute (SPMCHI), SMS Medical College, Jaipur. RESULTS- The mean serum B level was highest in children aged 13-18 months (117.40 pg/ml) and was lowest in children aged 12 6-12 months (67.90 pg/ml). This difference in B level in different age groups was statistically not signicant (p>0.05). The mean 12 serum folate level was highest in children aged 6-12 months (17.32 ng/ml) followed by children aged 13-18 months (15.53 ng/ml) and was lowest in children aged >18 months (13.70 ng/ml). This difference in folate level in different age groups was statistically not signicant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION- Present study ndings suggest that serum vitamin B and folate levels are decreased in children with Infantile 12 Tremor Syndrome.


2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 812-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Mark Ruscin ◽  
Robert Lee Page ◽  
Robert J Valuck

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of vitamin B12 deficiency associated with long-term use (∼4½ y) of histamine2 (H2)-receptor antagonists and a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) in a patient with gastroesophageal reflux. CASE SUMMARY: A 78-year-old nonvegetarian white woman with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was started on cimetidine 300 mg 4 × daily in February 1990 and took various other antisecretory medications over the course of the next 4½ years. She had a normal serum vitamin B12 concentration of 413 pg/mL in August 1992. In June 1994, her serum vitamin B12 concentration was found to be in the low normal range at 256 pg/mL. Biochemical markers of vitamin B12–dependent enzyme activity were measured at that time, and methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine (HCYS) were elevated at 757 nmol/L and 27.3 μmol/L, respectively. Serum folate was within the normal range at 4.9 ng/mL, and serum creatinine was slightly elevated at 1.4 mg/dL. MMA and HCYS concentrations decreased dramatically with oral replacement of vitamin B12 1000 μg/d, which confirmed vitamin B12 deficiency. Oral replacement also demonstrated that the woman was able to adequately absorb nonprotein—bound vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract, suggesting that her deficiency was a result of food—cobalamin malabsorption. The accumulation of MMA and HCYS was not a consequence of renal dysfunction, since both metabolites dramatically decreased with vitamin B12 replacement. DISCUSSION: Malabsorption of dietary protein-bound vitamin B12 has been demonstrated with the use of H2-receptor antagonists and PPIs. One previous case report of vitamin B12 deficiency resulting from long-term use of omeprazole has been published. The malabsorption of dietary vitamin B12 is thought to be a result of its impaired release from food protein, which requires gastric acid and pepsin as the initial step in the absorption process. CONCLUSIONS: The use of H2-receptor antagonists and/or PPIs may impair the absorption of protein-bound dietary vitamin B12 and could contribute to the development of vitamin B12 deficiency with prolonged use. Patients taking these medications for extended periods of time, particularly >4 years, should be monitored for vitamin B12 status.


Author(s):  
Dagmar Procházková ◽  
Jiří Jarkovský ◽  
Zdena Haňková ◽  
Petra Konečná ◽  
Hana Benáková ◽  
...  

AbstractThe objective of the study was to determine the incidence of vitamin BThe group consisted of 51 PKU (n=29) and HPA (n=22) patients aged 3–48 years (28 children, 23 adults).A significant difference in serum folate levels was discovered between adult HPA patients and PKU patients (p=0.004, Mann-Whitney U-test). A significant difference in plasma homocysteine concentrations within the normal levels (p=0.032, χWe have proven that adult patients with PKU and HPA are at risk of vitamin B


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 508-512
Author(s):  
David S. Newcombe

The urinary excretion of aminoimidazolecarboxamide (AIC), an intermediate in purine synthesis, was studied in five patients with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. The mean urinary AIC level for these subjects was 12.03 ± 6.9 mg AIC/mg creatinine as compared to a mean urinary excretion in normal subjects of 1.2 ± 0.6 mg AIC/mg creatinine. None of the patients had clinical evidence of megaloblastic anemia at the time of the study, and their serum folate levels were within the normal range. The increased urinary AIC excretion probably represents a reflection of the deranged purine metabolism in this syndrome and its measurement can be used as a screen for the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and other disorders of purine and/or folate metabolism.


2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simonetta Friso ◽  
Stefania Lamon-Fava ◽  
Hyeran Jang ◽  
Ernst J. Schaefer ◽  
Roberto Corrocher ◽  
...  

Although oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT), which can affect the risk of major cancers, has been known to reduce total plasma homocysteine concentrations in postmenopausal women, the mechanisms and subsequent molecular changes have not yet been defined. To investigate the effect of ERT on homocysteine metabolism, thirteen healthy postmenopausal women were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over study consisting of two 8-week long phases, placebo and conjugated equine oestrogen (CEE; 0·625 mg/d). Concentrations of total plasma homocysteine, vitamin B6and serum folate and vitamin B12were measured by conventional methods. Genomic DNA methylation was measured by a new liquid chromatography/MS method and promoter methylation status of the oestrogen receptor (ER)α,ERβandp16genes was analysed by methylation-specific PCR after bisulfite treatment. The CEE phase demonstrated a significantly decreased mean of total plasma homocysteine concentrations compared with the placebo phase (8·08 μmol/l (6·82–9·39)v.9·29 (7·53–11·35),P < 0·05) but there was no difference in the blood concentrations of the three B vitamins. The CEE phase also showed a significantly increased genomic DNA methylation in peripheral mononuclear cells compared with the placebo phase (2·85 (SD0·12) ng methylcytosine/μg DNAv.2·40 ± (SD0·15)P < 0·05). However, there was no difference in promoter methylation in theERα,ERβandp16genes. This study demonstrates that decreased homocysteinaemia by CEE therapy parallels with increased genomic DNA methylation, suggesting a potential new candidate mechanism by which ERT affects the risk of cancers and a possible new candidate biomarker for the oestrogen-related carcinogenesis through folate-related one-carbon metabolism.


Author(s):  
SHANNO KM ◽  
DISHA SHARMA ◽  
SUDHANSHU MISHRA

Objective: The study aimed to have a prospective study of serum folate concentration and hemoglobin (Hb%) in cervical carcinoma patients. Methods: The study was conducted on women suffering from carcinoma cervix. The research was conducted in the Gynecological Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Oncology Unit in Mahavir Cancer Sansthan Patna, Bihar. The study period was from May 2016 to April 2017. The sample was collected after face to face interview by Figo staging and the sample was taken regularly. As a result strong association of Hb% and carcinoma cervix was found with the mean value of lower than 11.12, which is lower than the normal range of Hb%. As per the further estimation of folic acid, the level of cervical cancer is low. Results: The data were estimated with help of tools such as SPSS 16.0 and PRISMA 5.0. The Hb% the mean value of patients was estimated to be lower than 11.12, which is not under the normal range of Hb%, that is, nearly 12.5 mg/dl. The low mean value shows less Hb% content which leads to anemia in normal beings as well as in patients with cervical cancer. A strong association of Hb% which affected to patients in carcinoma cervix can be seen in the graph that the mean value of patients low 11.12±0.20 which not comes under normal range of Hb%, that is, 12.5 mg/dl. The R square value is 0.9556. Conclusion: As per our study, we have estimated that the folic acid level in cervical cancer is low. The -normal range of folic acid level in plasma serum is 2.2–20 ug/ml. The mean of 20 control cases, new cervical cancer patients, on treating patients, and follow-up patients is 11.08, 2.206, 3.554, and 2.783, respectively. The control 11.08 shows the better level in plasma serum level comes under a normal range of folic acid level.


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