Blood Folate Research Articles

Effects of coated folic acid and coated methionine on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in Simmental bulls

In one-carbon metabolism, methionine (Met) is methyl donor and folic acid (FA) is responsible for the transfer of methyl groups. Approximately 25 % of coated methionine (CMet) and coated folic acid (CFA) released in the rumen at 24 h of incubation. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of CMet or/and CFA on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in bulls. Forty Simmental bulls, 464 ± 15.9 kg of body weight (BW), were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to four groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatment, with factors being CFA 0 or 6 mg FA/kg dietary dry matter (DM) and CMet 0 or 0.66 g Met/kg dietary DM. The experiment period was 81 days long with 20 days for adaptation and 61 days for data and sample collection. Dry matter intake increased (P = 0.001) with CFA or CMet addition. The CFA × CMet interaction was noticed on average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.001) and feed conversion ratio (FCR; P = 0.020); the improvements in ADG and FCR were greater for supplementing CMet in diets with CFA than in diets without CFA. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet addition. When CMet was supplemented, crude protein digestibility increased in CFA diets and was unchanged in diets without CFA. Ruminal pH decreased (P < 0.050), but total volatile fatty acid concentration increased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet addition. Acetate to propionate ratio was unchanged with CFA addition, but decreased (P = 0.039) with CMet addition. Rumen ammonia-N concentration decreased (P < 0.050) for either CFA or CMet addition. The activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, protease, α-amylase and cellobiase and populations of protozoa, total bacteria, fungi, dominant cellulolytic bacteria, Ruminobacter amylophilus and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens increased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet supplementation. The CFA × CMet interaction was noticed on Ruminococcus albus population (P = 0.014); when CMet was supplemented, R. albus population increased for diets without CFA and was unchanged for diets with CFA. The activities of chymotrypsin in duodenum increased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet supplementation, and that of amylopsin and trypsin in ileum increased (P < 0.050) for bulls receiving CFA addition. The concentrations of glucose, albumin and urea nitrogen in blood were unchanged and homocysteine decreased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet supplementation. The CFA × CMet interaction was noticed on blood total protein concentration (P = 0.045); when CMet was added, blood total protein concentration increased for diets without CFA and was unchanged for diets with CFA. The concentration of folate in blood increased (P = 0.001) for CFA addition. The concentration of Met increased (P = 0.002) for CMet supplementation. The results indicated that dietary CFA or/and CMet supplementation improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation, and the greatest daily gain was observed for combined addition of CFA and CMet in bulls.

The association between serum folate and ultrasound - defined hepatic steatosis

Purpose It has been discovered that a folate shortage may raise the risk of hepatic steatosis. We investigated the relationship between serum folate and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) among 3606 participants over from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Materials and methods Multivariate logistic regression studies were carried out to calculate the relationship between serum folate and CAP. Additionally, generalized additive models and fitted smoothing curves were carried out. Results After adjusting for other variables, we discovered that serum folate had a negative correlation with CAP. Males and whites maintained a negative correlation of serum folate with CAP when subgroup analyses were stratified by sex and race/ethnicity. The relationship between blood folate levels and CAP in whites had an U-shaped curve (inflection point: 34 ng/ml). Conclusion According to our study, the majority of Americans, particularly men and whites, had a negative correlation between serum folate and CAP. Among white people, this connection followed an U-shaped pattern. These findings may provide guidance for monitoring serum folate level and controlling oral folate dosage in clinic, so as to prevent liver steatosis more effectively. Key Messages The size of the cohort in our study is large, and our findings come from a nationally representative database. Our study revealed a negative relationship between serum folate and CAP among most Americans, especially in male and whites, which may provide evidence for medications to treat hepatic steatosis. In whites, the association of serum folate with CAP was an U-shaped curve (inflection point: 34 ng/ml). This may provide guidance for monitoring serum folate level and controlling oral folate dosage in clinic, so as to prevent liver steatosis more effectively.

The Continued Need for the Routine Assessment of Folate Status.

The Choosing Wisely initiative recommended cessation of folate measurement, suggesting folate supplementation in macrocytic anemia. This study reviewed the need for continued blood folate testing at a large SafetyNet county teaching hospital. Red blood cell (RBC) folate, vitamin B12, iron, ferritin, and hemoglobin results were obtained for utilization review. Of the 593 RBC folate results, 69 (11.7%) were deficient and 30 (5%) had high values. Collectively, 369 (73.9%) had normal vitamin B12 levels, 342 (70%) had low hemoglobin, 184 (62.5) had normal and 57 (19.4%) had low ferritin, 122 (38.2%) had normal and 188 (59%) had low iron levels. Atotal of 41 (12%) had normal folate, low ferritin, low hemoglobin, and low iron, suggestive of iron deficiency anemia. There were 11 patients who exhibited low folate, low or normal ferritin, low hemoglobin, and low iron levels, suggesting combined folate and iron deficiency anemias. This study highlights the need for institutions to assess the applicability of national recommendations to their local population.

Epigenome-wide association study of serum folate in maternal peripheral blood leukocytes.

Aim: To perform an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of serum folate in maternal blood. Methods: Cross-ancestry (Europeans=302, South Asians=161) and ancestry-specific EWAS in the EPIPREG cohort were performed, followed by methyl quantitative trait loci analysis and association with cardiometabolic phenotypes. Replication was attempted using maternal folate intake and blood methylation data from theMoBa study and verified if the findings were significant in a previous EWAS of maternal serum folate in cord blood. Results & conclusion: cg19888088 (cross-ancestry) in EBF3, cg01952260 (Europeans) and cg07077240 (South Asians) in HERC3 were associated with serum folate. cg19888088 and cg01952260 were associated with diastolic blood pressure. cg07077240 was associated with variants in CASC15. The findings were not replicated and were not significant in cord blood.

Comorbidity of Mental and Somatic Pathology in the Study of the Association of Blood Folate Levels

Comorbidity of Mental and Somatic Pathology in the Study of the Association of Blood Folate Levels

ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2022: Glycemic targets and glucose monitoring for children, adolescents, and young people with diabetes.

ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2022: Glycemic targets and glucose monitoring for children, adolescents, and young people with diabetes.

Blood and CSF Homocysteine Levels in Alzheimer's Disease: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Case-Control Studies.

ObjectiveHyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), as an important risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), would aggravate cognitive dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate whether and to what degree the homocysteine (Hcy) levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were elevated in AD patients compared with healthy controls and to explore the factors related to the elevated Hcy levels in AD patients.MethodsPubMed and Embase databases were searched to identify eligible studies, and study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Ratio of mean (RoM) Hcy concentrations was used as a measure of fold-change between AD patients and healthy control subjects.ResultsWe identified 35 eligible studies, consisting a total of 2172 patients with AD and 2289 healthy controls. The pooled results showed that patients with AD had a significantly higher blood level of Hcy (RoM, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.25–1.40; p<0.001) than controls did, with large heterogeneity across studies (I2=81.4%, p<0.001). Hcy level in CSF did not differ significantly between patients with AD than controls (RoM, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.90–1.39, p=0.293; I2=69.4%, p=0.02). A random effects meta-regression analysis revealed that there was an inverse correlation between the blood levels of Hcy and folate (p=0.006). There was no link found between the blood levels of vitamin B12, or the Mini-Mental Status Examination scores reflecting the degree of cognitive impairment, and blood levels of Hcy.ConclusionRegardless of dementia severity, there is an approximate one-third increase in blood Hcy in AD patients, which is robustly associated with a decreased level of blood folate in AD, but not with that of blood vitamin B12 nor the degree of dementia. Future investigation on the cause-and-effect link between Hcy and folate is warranted to clarify this issue.

Determinants of Response at 2 Months of Treatment in a Cohort of Pakistani Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection continues to be a major global challenge. All patients with pulmonary tuberculosis are treated with a standard 6-month treatment regimen. Historical data suggest that even with shortened treatment, most patients achieve long-term remission. Risk stratification is a goal for reducing potentially toxic prolonged treatment. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the early clearance of sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB). A total of 297 freshly diagnosed patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were included and enrolled in this study. Information related to their ethno-demographic and anthropometric characteristics was collected. We also assessed their complete blood counts, and blood iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels. We found that the presence of higher levels of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in diagnostic sputum microscopy was the single most significant prognostic factor associated with early clearance of sputum AFB after 2 months of treatment. All of our patients achieved treatment success after 6 months of treatment and were disease free. Our results support the data obtained from previous studies indicating that AFB clearance at 2 months is unlikely to be a clinically useful biomarker or indicator for therapeutic stratification. Furthermore, demographic, anthropometric, and nutritional factors are not clinically useful biomarkers.

Both The Folate Therapy and the Folate Treatment Combined with Zinc Had an Effect on the Endocrine Markers and Sperm Characteristics of Sub-Fertile Males

Aim: The purpose of this study was to see how folate and folate + zinc treatment affected endocrine markers and sperm properties in sub fertile males. Methods: The methodical research in addition meta-analysis was carried out. From 1969 to May 2020, databases were searched by Medline, Scopus, Google scholar, and Persian databases have been examined that used the set of pertinent keywords comprising "folate or folic acid AND (infertility, infertile, sterile)". Any standardized clinical studies that took oral folic acid or folate plus zinc on a selection of sub fertile males for semen analysis are included in the. Endocrine characteristics and sperm parameters were among the information gathered. Comprehensive Meta-analysis Version 2 was used for data methods. Results: Eight researches remained comprised in the total. Seven researches have enough information for a meta-analysis. "Sperm concentration was significantly greater in males treated using folate than in men not supplied using folate (P.002)." Furthermore, folate supplementation unaided did not appear to remain additional beneficial than the placebo in terms of sperm morphology (P =.057) or motility (P =.653). In comparison to the placebo, folate with dietary supplementation had no measurable difference in blood testosterone (P =.87), inhibin B (P =.85), FSH (P =.056), or sperm motility (P =.168). However, as given a placebo, folate with zinc had a substantially bigger influence on semen parameters (P.002), morphology (P.002), and blood folate level (P.002). Conclusion: Folate and zinc supplementation improves sperm qualities in infertile men. Nonetheless, because of the significant heterogeneity of the papers used in this meta-analysis, those findings must be regarded with care. More research is necessary to corroborate the existing results. Keywords: Effect of Folate, Folate Plus Zinc Supplementation, sperm properties, sub fertile males.

Evaluation of serum folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine among blood donors in Lagos State University teaching hospital, Lagos, Nigeria

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Folate, vitamin B12 deficiency and hyperhomocysteinaemia have been reported as important risk factors for the development of cardiovascular events and ischaemic stroke. These vitamin deficiencies are also implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases like anaemia, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and cancers. This study determined the serum levels of vitamins B12, folate, and homocysteine among blood donors in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study done among blood donors at the donor clinic of LASUTH Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. One hundred blood donors who met the donor inclusion criteria of LASUTH were recruited consecutively into the study.&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Five ml of venous blood was collected from each consenting participant into ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid (EDTA) and plain bottles for the determination of full blood count and folate, vitamin B12/homocysteine respectively. Data were analyzed with statistical package for social science version 23.0, the p value was set at ≤0.05.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The mean age of the study participants was 33.36±8.31 years. The mean serum homocysteine, folate and VitB12 levels among the study participants were 5.59±9.14 nmol/l, 21.57±4.15ng/ml and 1694.38±592.83 pg/ml respectively. About 8% of the study participants had serum homocysteine levels more than 15nmol/L, 4% had vitamin B12 levels less than 203pg/ml while all 100 participants had normal folate levels of 4ng/ml and above.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, vitaminB12 and folate deficiencies among blood donors in LASUTH is low.&lt;/p&gt;

Folic Acid and the Prevention of Birth Defects: 30 Years of Opportunity and Controversies.

For three decades, the US Public Health Service has recommended that all persons capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 μg/day of folic acid (FA) to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). The neural tube forms by 28 days after conception. Fortification can be an effective NTD prevention strategy in populations with limited access to folic acid foods and/or supplements. This review describes the status of mandatory FA fortification among countries that fortify (n = 71) and the research describing the impact of those programs on NTD rates (up to 78% reduction), blood folate concentrations [red blood cell folate concentrations increased ∼1.47-fold (95% CI, 1.27, 1.70) following fortification], and other health outcomes. Across settings, high-quality studies such as those with randomized exposures (e.g., randomized controlled trials, Mendelian randomization studies) are needed to elucidate interactions of FA with vitamin B12 as well as expanded biomarker testing.

Integrative network analysis revealed the molecular function of folic acid on immunological enhancement in a sheep model.

We previously observed the beneficial role of folic acid supplemented from maternal or offspring diet on lamb growth performance and immunity. Twenty-four Hu lambs from four groups (mother received folic acid or not, offspring received folic acid or not) were used in the current study, which was conducted consecutively to elucidate the molecular regulatory mechanisms of folic acid in lambs by analyzing blood metabolome, liver transcriptome, and muscle transcriptome. Serum metabolomics analysis showed that L-homocitrulline, hyodeoxycholic acid, 9-Hpode, palmitaldehyde, N-oleoyl glycine, hexadecanedioic acid, xylose, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, nicotinamide, acetyl-N-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamine, N6-succinyl adenosine, 11-cis-retinol, 18-hydroxycorticosterone, and 2-acetylfuran were down-regulated and methylisobutyrate was up-regulated by the feeding of folic acid from maternal and/or offspring diets. Meanwhile, folic acid increased the abundances of S100A12 and IRF6 but decreased TMEM25 in the liver. In the muscle, RBBP9, CALCR, PPP1R3D, UCP3, FBXL4, CMBL, and MTFR2 were up-regulated, CYP26B1 and MYH9 were down-regulated by the feeding of folic acid. The pathways of bile secretion, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid metabolism, and herpes simplex virus 1 infection were changed by folic acid in blood, liver, or muscle. Further integrated analysis revealed potential interactions among the liver, blood, and muscle, and the circulating metabolites, hub gene, and pathways, which might be the predominant acting targets of folic acid in animals. These findings provide fundamental information on the beneficial function of folic acid no matter from maternal or offspring, in regulating animal lipid metabolism and immune enhancement, providing a theoretical basis for the use of folic acid from the view of animal health care.

Effect of Folic Acid Supplements on Progesterone Profile and Blood Metabolites of Heat-Stressed Holstein Cows during the Early Stage of Pregnancy.

Simple SummaryThe fertility of a dairy cow can be described as the female’s ability to conceive and maintain pregnancy when insemination is performed at the proper time relative to ovulation. In this context, poor estrous detection and embryonic or fetal losses are common causes for reduced reproductive performance in dairy cows. Furthermore, heat stress severely deteriorates conception and pregnancy rates in dairy farms. The aim of this study was to see how oral folic acid (FA) supplements affect progesterone levels, blood metabolites, endocrine patterns, and blood biochemical concentrations in heat-stressed pregnant cows. Oral FA supplementation (10 μg kg−1) in the first month of gestation improved the progesterone profile, as well as blood folates, pregnancy associated glycoprotein (PAG), growth hormone (GH), and Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations in heat-stressed Holstein cows.The aim was to elucidate the impact of oral folic acid (FA) supplements on progesterone profile, blood metabolites and biochemical indices of heat-stressed Holstein cows during the early stage of pregnancy. The study lasted from the day of artificial insemination through the end of the fourth week of pregnancy. The first group (CON, n = 17) received 0 μg of FA/kg BW as a control. The second and third groups received oral FA doses of 5 (FA5, n = 19) and 10 (FA10, n = 20) μg kg−1 BW, respectively. At the 2nd and 3rd weeks of pregnancy, the FA10 group had greater progesterone levels than the CON group (p < 0.05). The FA10 group had a greater progesterone level than the FA5 and CON groups at the fourth week of pregnancy (p < 0.01). The FA10 group had higher folate levels than CON group during the first three weeks of pregnancy (p < 0.01). Both FA-supplemented groups had significantly greater serum folates than the CON group by the end of the fourth week of pregnancy (p < 0.01). At the 2nd and 4th weeks of pregnancy, the FA10 group had greater levels of serum glucose and globulin than the CON group (p = 0.028 and 0.049, respectively). Both FA-supplemented groups had greater serum growth hormone (GH) levels at the 4th week of pregnancy (p = 0.020). Additionally, the FA10 group showed significantly higher levels of IGF-1 at the 2nd and 4th week of gestation (p = 0.040 and 0.001, respectively). FA supplementation decreased the levels of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) at the 2nd and 4th week of gestation (p = 0.020 and 0.035, respectively). Additionally, the FA10 group showed significantly higher pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) levels at the 2nd and 4th week of gestation (p = 0.005 and 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, oral FA supplementation (10 mcg kg−1) in the first month of gestation improved the progesterone profile, as well as blood folates, PAG, GH, and IGF-1 concentrations in heat-stressed Holstein cows. These findings could be useful in developing practical strategies to keep dairy cows’ regular reproductive patterns under heat stress conditions.

Successful Treatment of Cerebral Folate Transporter Deficiency With Intravenous Folinic Acid

Cerebral folate transport deficiency (CFD) is a potentially treatable neurometabolic condition that may lead to a severe progressive neurological deterioration.1,2 This disorder is caused by mutations in the folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) gene encoding the folate receptor alpha (FRα) protein,2 with an ensuing impaired transport of folate via FRα-dependent endocytosis into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The concentration of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), a cofactor in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, is decreased in the CSF despite normal blood folate levels.

Vitamin B-12 malabsorption and renal function are critical considerations in studies of folate and vitamin B-12 interactions in cognitive performance: NHANES 2011–2014

Cognitive health is a public health concern among older adults. Dietary supplement (SUP) use is common and concerns have been raised about high folic acid intake among those with vitamin B-12 deficiency and exacerbation of poor cognitive performance (PCP). We evaluated SUP use, usual folic acid intake, and blood folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations in relation to cognitive performance. We used NHANES 2011-2014 data on adults aged ≥60 y (n=2867) and estimated total usual folic acid intake from diet and supplements, vitamin B-12 intake from SUPs, blood folates, vitamin B-12 concentrations, vitamin B-12 insufficiency (≤258pmol/L), high folate (serum folate ≥59nmol/L or RBC folate ≥1609nmol/L), and PCP (<34 on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test). We assessed folate distributions adjusted for multiple variables, including renal function. Compared with persons without PCP, adults with PCP were less likely to use supplements containing folic acid (mean±SEE: 34.4%±2.4%) or vitamin B-12 (mean±SEE: 47.5%±1.6%). Among vitamin B-12-insufficient adults, 18.0%±1.6% (mean±SEE) reported taking a vitamin B-12 supplement. Among participants with high folate and insufficient vitamin B-12 concentrations, 34.3%±11.5% (mean±SEE) reported taking vitamin B-12-containing supplements. Persons with high folate and normal vitamin B-12 concentrations had lower odds of PCP [aOR (adjusted odds ratio): 0.61; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.83] than persons with normal folate and vitamin B-12. Persons with high folate and normal methylmalonic acid (MMA) had lower odds of PCP (OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.78) than those with normal folate and MMA concentrations. After adjustment for renal function, elevated risk of PCP was attenuated among persons with high folate and MMA. Concurrent high folate and insufficient vitamin B-12 concentrations were not associated with PCP. Differential associations between vitamin B-12 and MMA highlight the need to consider renal function in studies of high folate and low vitamin B-12 status. Consumption of vitamin B-12 supplements concurrent with low vitamin B-12 status may indicate vitamin B-12 malabsorption.

Adequate Intake and Supplementation of B Vitamins, in Particular Folic Acid, can Play a Protective Role in Bone Health.

In vitro and animal model studies have shown that vitamin B (VB) deficiency has negative consequences on bone as a result of direct or mediated activity of hyperhomocysteinemia. However, there are still no precise indications regarding a possible VB role in order to maintain bone health. So, the aim of this narrative review was to consider state of the art correlation between VB dietary intake, blood levels and supplementation and bone health (bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers and fractures risk) in humans. This review includes 29 eligible studies. Considering VB blood levels, the 14 studies considered have shown that low serum folate can be a risk factor for reduced BMD and fractures in the elderly, particularly women; no independent association was found for other VB. Studies that evaluate the relationship between VB dietary intake and BMD are only 2; one, conducted on 1869 women, demonstrated a positive effect of folate intake on BMD. Another demonstrated a dose-dependent inverse relationship between vitamin B6 dietary intake and risk of hip fracture, but only for 35298 female participants. Regarding the relationship between BV supplementation and bone health (9 studies with only VB and 4 with other nutrients), all studies that considered patients with hyperhomocysteinemia or with low folate blood levels, are in agreement in demonstrating that folate supplementation (500mcg- 5mg) is useful in improving BMD. In conclusion, a request for folate and homocysteine blood levels in elderly patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis is mandatory. For patients with hyperhomocysteinemia or with low folate blood levels, folate supplementation (500mcg-5mg) is crucial.

Serum folate levels and hypertension

We aimed to examine the association between serum folate levels and hypertension in Korean adults. Our study population was 6343 Korean adults whose blood pressure and folate levels were measured in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016–2018. We aggregated the study populations into quintiles according to serum folate levels (1.5–4.3, 4.4–5.7, 5.8–7.5, 7.6–10.3, and 10.4–35.9 ng/mL). Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to analyze the relationships between serum folate levels, blood pressure, and hypertension. The weighted average of serum folate levels was 7.4 ng/mL, and the weighted prevalence of hypertension was 30.4% in the study populations. After adjusting for all potential confounders, compared to those in the lowest quintile of serum folate levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the people in the other quintiles were not significantly different. The linear relationship between serum folate levels and blood pressure was not statistically significant. The odds for hypertension were not significantly different across the quintiles of serum folate levels. This study showed high serum folate levels was not significantly associated with lowering hypertension in Korean adults.

Maternal and Cord Blood Vitamin B12, Folate and Homocysteine Levels

Maternal and Cord Blood Vitamin B12, Folate and Homocysteine Levels

Birth weight, head circumference, and length of newborns are unaffected by maternal levels of vitamin B12 and folate

Vitamin B12, folate, and other micronutrients are essential for healthy growth. We hypothesized that there is a high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in mothers and their newborns, and that blood serum vitamin B12 and folate levels may affect anthropometric measurements at birth. A total of 204 newborn babies and their 196 mothers were included. Blood samples of newborns and mothers were obtained for vitamin B12 (<200 pg/mL) and folate (<3 ng/mL) deficiencies. Additionally, iron and ferritin levels were measured. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 37.2 ± 2.6 (22.3-41) weeks and 3045 ± 770 (505-4525) g, respectively. All micronutrient levels in cord blood were higher than maternal levels (P = .001). A total of 96.3% of mothers and 64.5% of babies had vitamin B12 deficiency; 4% of mothers and none of the infants had folate deficiency. In total, 38.2% of mothers and 10.6% of infants had ferritin deficiency and 38.7% of mothers and 41.4% of newborns had iron deficiency. There was a negative correlation between cord vitamin B12 level and birth weight and head circumference (r = -0.21, P = .004 and r = -0.16, P = .036, respectively), whereas no correlation was found between maternal micronutrient status and anthropometric measurements of newborns. In conclusion, anthropometric measurements were unaffected by maternal levels, but vitamin B12 deficiency is very common in pregnant women and newborn babies. Mothers and their infants may benefit from early diagnosis and treatment. Awareness of vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnant women and newborns should be increased in Turkey.

Ex vivo folate production by fecal bacteria does not predict human blood folate status: Associations between dietary patterns, gut microbiota, and folate metabolism

Although some bacteria inhabiting the human gut synthesize folates, it has not yet been established whether bacterial folate biosynthesis can impact human folate status. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate associations between different lifestyle factors and the potential of fecal microbiota to produce folates, and to investigate whether this potential is associated with circulating folate and total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in humans. To this end, we carried out an observational study of two hundred adult participants, with high variance in dietary habits. Diet was determined using three-day food records. Fecal microbiota composition was assessed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. To establish the folate-production potential of fecal bacteria, cultures containing feces were incubated under anaerobic conditions for 24 h, and the folate concentration was measured before and after incubation. The folate concentration in cultures was 185.4 ± 228.1 pg/ml/log(CFU/g) (2125.4 ± 2454.3 pg/ml) higher after incubation. This change in concentration was not associated with the healthy eating index that measures diet quality (r = -0.11, p = 0.11), but it was positively associated with low α-diversity (r = -0.18, p < 0.01), and high relative abundance of the Bacteroides, as well as Sutterella and Parasutterella genera. The gut microbiota’s folate producing potential was associated neither with serum folate nor with plasma tHcy levels.In conclusion, some taxa of the native gut microbiota have the ability to synthesize folates under culture conditions, but this bacterial folate biosynthesis capacity does not predict human folate status.