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@#Introduction: Micronutrient deficiencies are common in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. The long-term side effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART), specifically Azidothymine (AZT), include low serum levels of vitamin B12 and folate, which in turn, lead to megaloblastic anaemia and oral lesions. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted to determine the associations between manifestation of oral lesions and serum vitamin B12 and folate levels in HIV-adult patients with or without receiving ART therapy. Oral lesions were determined based on the ECClearinghouse diagnostic criteria. Serum vitamin B12 and folate were assessed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). Sixty participants (48 males and 12 females) aged 20 to 51 years were recruited from a private hospital in Bandung, Indonesia. Results: Subnormal levels of serum vitamin B12 and folate were found in 16.6% and 6.7% HIV patients, respectively. Significantly lower serum levels of vitamin B12 and folate were shown in HIV patients receiving ART than those without ART. Oral lesions were found in all the participants with subnormal levels of serum vitamin B12 and folate. Presence of oral lesions was significantly associated with low levels of serum vitamin B12 in HIV patients with ART, but not with low folate levels. Conclusion: Low levels of serum vitamin B12 and folate were shown in HIV patients, indicating the need for early nutritional intervention to ensure optimal nutritional status and prevention of oral lesions in HIV patients.
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Aim & Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of serum folate and homocysteine in clinical stages of Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) patients. Methodology The study sample comprised of 40 clinically and histopathologically diagnosed OSF patients those who are not undergoing treatment and 10 healthy controls. OSF was categorised by clinical staging. Serum foliate and homocysteine levels estimation was done by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis unit and chemiluminescence immuno assay, respectively. Results were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA [Analysis of variance]. Results Irrespective of age and gender, serum folate deficiency and high levels of homocysteine were noted in OSF patients when compared with healthy controls. Conclusion Serum hyper homocysteinemia and folate deficiency were noted with the progression of the disease. Folate supplements can be given to decrease the levels of homocysteine, to arrest the progression of the disease. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to establish an association between serum homocysteine and serum folate.
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Folate is an essential nutrient because mammals lack biological activity to synthesize. It different factors generate folate deficiency. Recent studies have identified that the C677T variant of the enzyme methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), can play a role in serum folate concentrations (SFC) and red cell folate (RCF). The aim of this rewiev was to actualice some generalities of folate metabolism, factors related to its deficiency, biochemical indicators used to assess the nutritional status of folate and role of the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR enzyme on the cycle of folate and methionine. It is necessary to design studies with representative samples corroborating the effect of polymorphisms on biochemical indicators of nutritional status of folate and determine the dose-response effect and contribute to modify the nutritional recommendations with the necessary scientific evidence.
El 62% de la población chilena presenta sobrepeso (dato OMS). Publicar calorías en menús de restaurantes podría ayudar a controlar este problema. El objetivo fue estudiar el efecto de la entrega de información calórica en la elección de almuerzos típicos. La metodología tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo, con encuesta on line de diseño transversal, estructurada, con preguntas abiertas y cerradas, y con escala tipo Lykert. Se obtuvo 227 respuestas válidas. Los encuestados seleccionaron un almuerzo de 3 elementos, antes y después de exponer información calórica. Los resultados mostraron que el 49% de los encuestados reduce en promedio 292 kcal, (39,2% del total de calorías en menú) al considerar la información calórica. Nuestros resultados sugieren que aproximadamente para la mitad de los encuestados, la información fue útil en la selección de menú. Esta información podría ayudar a profesionales de la Salud a crear conciencia, facilitando a los consumidores elecciones más saludables.
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Humans , Energy Intake , Nutritional Facts , Food , Food Labeling , Food Services , Choice BehaviorABSTRACT
Folate is an essential nutrient because mammals lack biological activity to synthesize. It different factors generate folate deficiency. Recent studies have identified that the C677T variant of the enzyme methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), can play a role in serum folate concentrations (SFC) and red cell folate (RCF). The aim of this rewiev was to actualice some generalities of folate metabolism, factors related to its deficiency biochemical indicators used to assess the nutritional status of folate and role of the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR enzyme on the cycle of folate and methionine. It is necessary to design studies with representative samples corroborating the effect of polymorphisms on biochemical indicators of nutritional status of folate and determine the dose-response effect and contribute to modify the nutritional recommendations with the necessary scientific evidence.
El folato es un nutriente esencial porque los mamíferos carecen de actividad biológica para sintetizarlo. Diferentes factores generar deficiencia de folato. Estudios recientes han identificado que la variante C677T de la enzima metilen tetrahidrofolato reductasa (MTHFR), puede jugar un papel en las concentraciones de folato sérico (FS) y eritrocitario (FE). El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar algunas generalidades del folato, su metabolismo, los factores relacionados con su deficiencia, los indicadores bioquímicos utilizados para evaluar el estado nutricional del folato y el papel del polimorfismo C677T de la enzima MTHFR sobre el ciclo del folato y de la metionina. Es necesario diseñar estudios con muestras representativas que corroboren el efecto de los polimorfismos sobre los indicadores bioquímicos del estado nutricional del folato y determinar el efecto dosis-respuesta y así contribuir con la evidencia científica necesaria para modificar las recomendaciones nutricionales.
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Humans , Vitamin B 12 , Food , Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) , EnzymesABSTRACT
Objective To detect serum concentration of folate receptor alpha and to investigate its significance in the clinical application of patients with endometrial carcinoma. Methods Thirty-seven patients with endometrial carcinoma, 33 patients with endometrial hyperplasia and 10 healthy women were enrolled in this study. Sera were used to detect the the folate receptor alpha using an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique.The expression level of serum folate receptor alpha in different groups was analyzed. The correlation between the expression level of serum folate receptor alpha and age of patients, menopause, tumor morphology, myometrial invasion and clinical stage was was also analyzed in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Results Level of folate receptor alpha was successfully detected in serum of healthy women and patients with endometrial diseases. Level of folate receptor alpha in patients with endometrial carcinoma was much higher than that in patients with endometrial hyperplasia. Level of folate receptor alpha in patients with endometrial hyperplasia was also higher than that in the healthy controls, with significant difference (P 0.05). Conclusion The Serum level of folate receptor alpha can be detected, and its expression will contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and predicting the prognosis of patients with endometrial carcinoma.
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Objective To investigate the relationship between folate in serum,red blood cell (RBC),cervix cancerization,as well as the interaction between folate deficiency and HPV16 infection in cervix cancerization.Methods 254 samples were selected from the patients who were newly pathologically diagnosed of having cervix inflammation (CI),low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN Ⅰ),high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).PCR and microbiological assay were adopted to detect HPV infection and folate concentration.Results Rates of HPV16 infection increased with the severity of cervix cancerization (tend:x2=34.96,P＜0.001),while decreased with concentrations of serum and RBC folate (tend:x2=42.17,P＜0.001; tend:x2=31.39,P＜0.001).There was a positive correlation between serum and RBC folate (r=0.405,P＜0.001).Data from grouping analysis showed that OR and aOR of serum and RBC folate appeared a rising trend,with statistical significance in CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲand SCC,but did not show the same trend in CIN Ⅰ.Results from interaction analysis showed that serum folate deficiency had an additive interaction with HPV16 infection in CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ and SCC,while RBC folate having an additive interaction with HPV16 infection in the whole process of cervix cancerization.Conclusion Both serum and RBC folate deficiency could increase the risk of cervix cancerization,and folate deficiency might have a synergic action with HPV 16 in this procession.
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The purpose of this study is to assess folate intake, and serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations, and investigate the association between folate status and health-related behaviors among Korean college students. A total of 169 students, aged between 18 and 27 years, participated in this study. Dietary intake data were collected by trained interviewers using a 24-hour recall method for three non-consecutive days in 2009. Information on health-related behaviors was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. Serum and RBC folate concentrations were measured by microbiological assay. The average intakes of folate were 456 microgDFE and 347 microgDFE in male and female students, respectively. While the average serum folate concentration was significantly lower in male students (8.9 ng/mL) compared to female students (12.5 ng/mL), RBC concentrations were not significantly different between male (398.6 ng/mL) and female students (405.3 ng/mL). In male students, low serum folate concentrations were associated with total folate intake less than the Estimated Average Requirement, non-use of folic acid supplements, smoking, alcohol drinking at least once a week and low physical activity. In female students, low serum folate concentrations were associated with smoking and alcohol drinking at least two drinks at a time and BMI > or = 25. Alcohol drinking and low physical activity were also associated with low RBC folate concentrations in both male and female students. In order to improve folate nutritional status of college students, the practice of desirable health-related behaviors, such as non-smoking, moderate alcohol drinking, regular physical activity, and maintenance of healthy BMI should be encouraged along with consumption of folate-rich foods and supplements.
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Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Alcohol Drinking , Erythrocytes , Folic Acid , Motor Activity , Nutritional Status , Surveys and Questionnaires , Smoke , SmokingABSTRACT
Sulfasalazine produces a varied spectrum of adverse reactions on the hematopoietic system. Sulfasalazine-induced megaloblastic anemia is very rare and a few cases have been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Most of them show a low serum folate level. The pathogenesis is known as folate deficiency by intestinal folate malabsorption, inhibition of folate enzyme, or hemolysis. We experienced a 43-year old female with Behcet's disease, who presented with megaloblastic anemia having normal serum folate level after treatement of sulfasalazine (2 g/day for 3 months). Megaloblastic anemia recovered after withdrawal of the drug only.
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Adult , Female , Humans , Anemia, Megaloblastic , Folic Acid , Hematopoietic System , Hemolysis , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases , Megaloblasts , SulfasalazineABSTRACT
Folate and Vitamin B12 are essential nutrients important during pregnancy. This study was conducted to evaluate the folate and vitamin B12 nutritional status of Korean pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between maternal-umbilical cord serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and pregnancy outcomes. Dietary intakes of the pregnant women were estimated by 24 hour-recall (3 times). Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord of 27 pregnant women at 1'st-, 2'nd-, 3'rd- trimester and delivery were measured by RIA (radioimmuno assay), respectively. Means of folate and vitamin B12 intake were 283.53 +/- 58.01 microgram/day and 2.99 +/- 1.32 mg/day, respectively. Maternal mean serum folate levels of the trimester and delivery were 9.75 +/- 3.60 ng/ml, 10.46 +/- 4.63 ng/ml, 10.71 +/- 4.14 ng/ml and 15.05 +/- 7.04 ng/ml. Those maternal levels were significantly lower than that of umbilical cord blood (23.99 +/- 9.42 ng/ml). Serum vitamin B12 levels of maternal trimester and delivery were 479.07 +/- 137.56 pg/ml, 310.96 +/- 137.56 pg/ml, 308.22 +/- 74.65 pg/ml, and 295.67 +/- 93.36 pg/ml, which were significantly lower than those of umbilical cord blood (500.13 +/- 185.60 ng/ml). This finding indicates that the uptake of folate and vitamin B12 in the fetus may be due to an active placental transport mechanism. Maternal serum level correlated positively with those of umbilical cord blood, showing that folate and vitamin B12 concentration of umbilical cord blood might be affected by maternal status. There was no significant correlation between the serum folate levels in maternal-umbilical cord blood and the pregnancy outcomes. However, maternal vitamin B12 level at 1'st trimester was significant positive correlation between the gestational age except for birth weight and weight gain.
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Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Birth Weight , Fetal Blood , Fetus , Folic Acid , Gestational Age , Nutritional Status , Pregnancy Outcome , Pregnant Women , Umbilical Cord , Vitamin B 12 , Vitamins , Weight GainABSTRACT
Anemia is common in alcoholics. Folate deficiency occurs commonly in association with the chronic use of alcohol. The incidence of folate deficiency in chronic alcoholic patients varies considerably from country to country. The purpose of the present study was to report the incidence of folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies in Thai chronic alcoholics. Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels were determined in 75 chronic alcoholics as well as in 80 apparently healthy Thai subjects. The mean Hb, Hct and serum folate levels were significantly lower in the alcoholics. Thirty-five percent and 84 percent had serum folate levels lower than 3 ng/ml and 6 ng/ml, respectively. On the other hand, the mean value of serum vitamin B12 in the alcoholic patients was significantly elevated, with 49 percent of them having serum vitamin B12 over 1,000 pg/ml. These findings indicated that the incidence of folic acid deficiency in the chronic alcoholics was quite high, which was probably due to dietary deficiency, folate malabsorption and interference by alcohol in folate metabolism. All these patients had a tendency to have a high serum vitamin B12 level, probably as a result of the increased release of vitamin B12 from storage in the injured liver.