Folic Acid Supplementation Research Articles

Model of health services for future parents: a scoping review

The readiness of prospective parents plays a pivotal role in their journey toward parenthood, influencing their ability to navigate the transition smoothly. This readiness can be cultivated through comprehensive physical and mental health screenings, empowering them to embark on their parenthood journey with a well-prepared and healthier pregnancy plan. This scoping review aimed to identify previous research evidence regarding health service models for prospective parents. This research is a scoping review using Framework Arkshey & O’Malley and PRISMA-Scr Checklist, four journal databases: Pubmed, Wiley Online Library, EBSCO, and Proquest. Apart from that, this research also used Google Scholar and official sites that support it. The keywords used are models, health services, and future parents. Article quality assessment using MMAT (Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool). A total of 2,899 articles were checked for duplication and title screening, abstract screening. A total of 21 articles were screened for the whole article, and only 11 were deemed eligible. The results of this article is that health programs during the premarital and preconception periods are important in preparing a healthy generation. Each country has premarital and preconception health programs, including providing blood supplement tablets and folic acid, mental health screening, and genetic disease screening. It is expected that cross-sector collaboration could increase the use of health services during the premarital and preconception periods. These programs serve as crucial avenues for imparting essential knowledge and fostering positive behaviors that can significantly impact the health outcomes of both parents and their future offspring. By prioritizing proactive healthcare measures and education during these pivotal stages, society lays a robust foundation for promoting the well-being and vitality of future generations.

Abstract 2170: Effects of folic acid supplementation on early stages of colitis-associated carcinogenesis

Abstract Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by persistent mucosal inflammation extending throughout the colon. Due to compromised intestinal surface integrity and the prolonged use of medication, individuals with UC often develop a folate deficiency, requiring folic acid (FA) supplementation. Prior findings from this group indicate that FA supplementation, at clinically relevant levels, promotes UC-associated dysplasia. Supplementation with FA resulted in an increased multiplicity of dysplasia and a significant elevation in the expression of several inflammatory genes (e.g. IL-6, Cox-2, Iκκ-β) within the colonic mucosa of mice with UC. Genome-wide expression profiling of normal and dysplastic colonic epithelial cells from mice treated with different doses of FA revealed differentially expressed genes were enriched for members of the ERK and NF-κB pathways. Subsequent in vitro analyses, utilizing isogenic RKO colon adenocarcinoma cells exposed to various doses of FA, demonstrated the downregulation of ERK and p-ERK in wild type (WT) p53+/+ cells, while an increase in expression was observed in p53−/− cells at the protein level. The goal of this study is to investigate the role of the MAPK/ERK pathway in the development of UC-associated neoplasms. An in vitro model that faithfully reproduces the inflamed microenvironment in the context of WT vs. mutant p53, the putative gatekeeper of UC-associated carcinogenesis, is needed to enhance our understanding of early changes in the colon that are induced by FA and drive tumor formation. Colon organoids are being generated by isolating crypts from WT p53+/+ and mutant p53+/515A mice. These organoids are then co-cultured with mouse macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) in inserts to stimulate crosstalk between the macrophages and colonic epithelial cells, as in the inflamed colon. Analyses demonstrate that the macrophages express pivotal inflammatory cytokines characteristic of UC, including IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-6, irrespective of the presence or absence of LPS stimulation. Co-cultured organoids and macrophages will be exposed to different concentrations of FA for various lengths of time, and the impact of treatment on the levels of ERK, p-ERK, and p65 will be assessed. The ability of p-ERK to mediate the transcriptional activation of NF-κB and its downstream effector IL-6 will also be evaluated. Subsequent investigations employing this innovative experimental model will reveal the mechanisms by which FA supplementation promotes the progression of UC-associated dysplasia. Given the potential risks associated with FA supplementation in individuals with UC, there is an urgent need to translate these results to a clinical setting. (Supported by CA262551 and the Timothy and Aurora Hughes Cancer Research Fund). Citation Format: Ariane Rocha Bartolomeu, Wen-Chi Chang, Lisa Vanderveer, Kristen N. Harvey, Mitchell Cheung, Harry S. Cooper, Margie Lee Clapper. Effects of folic acid supplementation on early stages of colitis-associated carcinogenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2170.

Folic Acid in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

It is known that Folic Acid (FA) plays an important role in normal brain development and functions. Interest is growing about the implications of folic acid employment in neuropsychiatric disorders. This work reviews the literature available from 2018 to 2022 on the biochemical and clinical correlates of FA administration in cognitive diseases such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It was found that FA supplementation is a safe and promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate the symptoms of these diseases.

Pregnant Women's Knowledge on Preconceptional and Conceptional use of Folic Acid in Rania City

Background and objectives: Pregnancy is one of the most important periods in the life of woman. Nutrition plays an essential role in the development of a healthy pregnancy. The importance of the taking adequate essential vitamins such as Folic acid both before and during pregnancy is emphasized for the wellbeing of a developing embryo. The purpose of this use study is to assess the level of pregnant woman’s Information regarding adherence of using folic acid supplementation in Rania City. Methods: In a descriptive cross section study, 100 women were selected. On the basis of questionnaires and interviews, data was obtained during the month of (December, 2020 to March, 2021). Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 23. Result: The obtained information revealed that (71%) of pregnant women had intermediate level of knowledge Although excellent knowledge of folic acid was only (14%). Doctors are major sources for promoting awareness about folic acid. There is a significant relationship between the knowledge, level of education, age group, and monthly income. There were more women with high levels of knowledge among those who had lower parities, had more education, and were looking for health-related information. Conclusion: Results acquired have shown some understanding towards the perception of folic acid among pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to increase the awareness of folic acid supplementation among women who are or planning to become pregnant.

Effect of Unmetabolized Folic Acid on Immunoinflammatory Markers in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Taking Folic Acid Supplementation.

Folic acid (FA) supplementation in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients lead to accumulation of unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) which might influence the level of cytokines and NK cell activity and thus trigger the crisis event. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of UMFA levels on immuno-inflammatory markers in SCD patients taking FA supplementation. The cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 HbSS confirmed SCD cases with 22 crisis and 38 cases at steady state of 15-40years age group. Serum FA, 5-Methyl Tetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), Dihydrofolate reductase, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Highly sensitive C-Reactive Protein (HsCRP), and natural killer (NK) cell activity were estimated. More than 50% of the study population depicted presence of UMFA. The median UMFA level was significantly elevated in crisis group (131.8ng/mL) as compared to the steady state group (36.31ng/mL) (p = 0.041). The median value of HsCRP was significantly higher in the crisis group (18.41mg/L) than the steady state group (2.04mg/L) (p = 0.003). Similarly, IL-6 was higher in crisis group (13.29pg/mL) than steady state group (5pg/mL) (p = 0.060). The median NK cell activity was 39.28nmol/L in crisis group and 35.31nmol/L in steady state groups (p = 0.889). In bivariate correlation analysis, UMFA showed a significant negative correlation with NK cell activity (r = - 0.638; p = < 0.001) and a positive correlation with IL-6 (r = 0.571; p = 0.001) and HsCRP (r = 0.237; p = 0.200). Accumulation of UMFA affect NK cell activity, thus influence the vulnerability for crisis state. Therefore, dosage modification for FA supplementation in SCD patients is suggested.

Immediate postpartum anemia and associated factors at shewarobit health facilities, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022: a cross sectional study

BackgroundImmediate postpartum anemia occurs when the amount of red blood cell count is reduced or hemoglobin concentration is below 10 g/dl in the immediate postpartum. It occurs primarily due to inadequate iron intake before and during pregnancy and blood loss during delivery. The aim of this study is to assess the proportion of immediate postpartum anemia and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at Shewarobit health facilities; in Amhara, Ethiopia.MethodsInstitutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2022. A systematic random sampling method was employed to select the study participants. The data were collected through interviewer-assisted questions. Data were entered into Epi Data software version 4.6.0.4 and exported to SPSS 21 for analysis, and descriptive statistics were computed. Logistic regression was applied, and P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsThis study was conducted among 307 study participants and, the proportion of immediate postpartum anemia was 41.4% [95% CI: 36.7–46.6]. Having postpartum hemorrhage [AOR = 4.76, 95% CI: 2.44–9.28], not taking iron and folic acid supplementation [AOR = 6.19, 95% CI: 2.69, 14.22], having a prolonged second stage of labor [AOR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.16–5.44], and mid-upper arm circumference < 23 cm [AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.11–3.68] were factors significantly associated with immediate postpartum anemia.ConclusionsThe proportion of immediate postpartum anemia was public problem in Shewarobit health facilities. Following the progress of labor using a partograph, closely monitoring and immediate intervention of PPH, and prevent undernutrition during antenatal care is recommended.

Effect of Antiepileptic Drugs on Serum Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid Among Children with Epilepsy in Bangalore

In India, there are more than 12 million people diagnosed with epilepsy, and contributes nearly to the one sixth of global burden. Over 60% of diagnosis for epilepsy is done in childhood; hence, it is of major importance to pediatricians. we aimed to assess the levels of Vitamin B12 and Folic acid among children with epilepsy receiving antiepileptic drugs like Carbamazepine, Sodium Valproate and Levetiracetam monotherapy for &gt;1 year. A total of 77 children with epilepsy (&lt;18 years), on monotherapy with SV, CBZ, LEV, for minimum one year, were enrolled after obtaining consent from the parent/guardian. Children with co morbid condition like chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, those children who were on multiple AED’s, and children receiving treatment for &lt;1year were excluded from the study. Out of the 77 patients, who were selected for the study, 46 were males and 31 were females. There has been a significant association between duration of treatment and Vitamin B12 and levels of Folic acid. There is also enough evidence to show that age of the patient and Folic acid levels are dependent variables. The proportion of children developing deficiency of Vitamin B12 or Folic acid after treatment with LEV is greater than the proportion treated with CBZ. The proportion of patients developing deficiency of Folic acid after treatment with LEV is greater than the same proportion after treatment with CBZ. Though there were a few significant findings as reported, we, the authors, feel that the study should be continued to ascertain if the AED’s have a significant role in Vitamin B12 and Folic acid metabolism and supplementation should be advised along with the AED’s.

Folic acid supplementation improves seed germination, seedling growth and cadmium uptake in a mining ecotype of Solanum nigrum L.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses a significant threat to global agricultural production and hyperaccumulating plant species, such as Solanum nigrum (L.), face challenges in phytoremediation due to limited biomass production. Application of plant growth regulators such as, folic acid (FA) is a promising strategy to increase biomass production in these plant species. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess the interaction between FA and Cd in the mining ecotype of S. nigrum. The study involved two phases: germination and growth. In the first phase, seeds were exposed to different concentrations of CdCl2 (i.e. 0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µM) in the presence (0, 25, 50 and 100 µM) or absence of FA for ten days. Results showed that FA enhanced seed germination under Cd stress and acted as an antioxidant and stimulated germination and emergence at moderate concentrations. At higher concentrations, it reduced germination percentage. The study also found significant variations (P <0.05) in growth attributes and Cd uptake in all FA concentrations. Cd was generally higher in shoots than roots, with the highest Cd concentration found in T6 (200 µmol Cd + 50 µmol/L FA) with a 170-fold difference (mean value: 1690 mg/kg) from control (10 mg/kg). Furthermore, an increase in exposure time led to a 2-fold increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) level in leaves at T3 (100 µmol/L Cd + 50 µmol/L FA).Therefore, we concluded that FA is a biostimulant that activates protective mechanism, alleviates oxidative stress and improves Cd uptake and accumulation in hyper-accumulating species.

Abstract P296: The Association Between Maternal Occupation and Adverse Birth Outcomes Among Infants With Congenital Heart Defects

Background: Neonates with critical congenital heart defects (cCHDs) face increased risks of neonatal complications, including low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). Maternal occupation has known associations with adverse birth outcomes in the general population. We aimed to assess the link between maternal occupation and adverse birth outcomes in neonates with cCHDs. Methods: We examined Texas Birth Defects Registry (TBDR) data from 1999-2014, focusing on employed mothers of non-syndromic live born singletons with cCHD. Using the NIOSH Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System (NIOCCS) and manual coding, we categorized maternal occupation into 23 major groups. Neonates with cCHDs and adverse birth outcomes were compared to neonates with cCHDs without adverse outcomes. Logistic regression models assessed the association between maternal occupation and PTB and LBW, with the reference group being all other occupations. Results: There were 712 mothers with preterm neonates with cCHDs and 3,076 mothers with full-term neonates with cCHDs. Additionally, 776 mothers delivered LBW neonates, while 3,012 had normal birthweight neonates. Maternal occupations in computer/math science were negatively linked to PTB (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10-0.79) and LBW (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09-0.70). Food preparation occupations were positively associated with PTB (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.17-2.38), while arts/entertainment occupations were negatively associated with LBW (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.11-0.84). Conclusion: These findings align with previous reports, suggesting that mothers in certain occupations may engage in behaviors linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes in the general population, such as insufficient folic acid supplementation, delayed prenatal care, smoking, and drinking. Understanding these associations can inform targeted workplace interventions, particularly for pregnancies involving birth defects.

Study of anaemia in pregnancy and low birth weight in fluoride endemic area of Western Rajasthan: a cohort study

Background Fluoride is a noxious element known to destroy gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to erythrocytes’ destruction and causing anaemia. The birth weight of newborn babies is a significant indicator of a child’s vulnerability to the risk of childhood diseases and chances of existence. Methods This prospective cohort study was planned to find linkages between fluorosis and the low-birth weight of newborn babies with anaemic mothers. Antenatal mothers until the 20th week of gestation were followed up till delivery in the Antenatal Clinic of a District Hospital in one of the known fluoride-endemic districts (Nagaur) and the other not-so-endemic district (Jodhpur) of Western Rajasthan. Results Around 19% of the newborn in Jodhpur and around 22% in Nagaur had low birth weight. Mean fluoride values in water samples were measured to be 0.57 (range from 0.0 to 2.7 PPM) in Jodhpur and 0.7 (range from 0.0 to 3.4 PPM) in Nagaur. Conclusions Thus, in fluoride endemic areas, other factors should be included besides iron and folic acid supplementation for improving anaemia in pregnant women. This calls for assessing the effectiveness of de-fluoridation activities along with the area’s most common indigenous food practices.

Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection and Anemia and Their Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and anemia are significant disorders that occur during pregnancy, potentially leading to severe complications. Objectives: This study explored the prevalence of urinary tract infections and anemia, along with their associated factors, among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted with 700 pregnant women attending clinics in Khash, Iran, in 2022. A self-administered questionnaire collected data on the socio-demographic and clinical factors of these women. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test in SPSS software, version 22. Multiple logistic regression models were used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The prevalence rates of anemia and urinary tract infections were 63.6% (95% CI: 59.8 - 67.1) and 49% (95% CI: 45.2 - 52.7), respectively. Significant associations were observed between anemia and the number of medical care visits, smoking status, the use of iron and folic acid supplements, history of abortion, and thalassemia (P-value &lt; 0.05). Additionally, income level, previous history of urinary tract infections, education level, and syphilis were significantly associated with UTIs among pregnant women (P-value &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence rates of anemia and UTIs among pregnant women are high. Consequently, standard antenatal care services, as recommended for the early identification of risk factors, should be emphasized by the Ministry of Health and its stakeholders to mitigate the high prevalence of anemia and UTIs during pregnancy and their associated complications.

Vitamin B12 status and folic acid supplementation influence mitochondrial heteroplasmy levels in mice.

One-carbon metabolism is a complex network of metabolic reactions that are essential for cellular function including DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 and folate are micronutrients that are utilized in this pathway and their deficiency can result in the perturbation of one-carbon metabolism and subsequent perturbations in DNA replication and repair. This effect has been well characterized in nuclear DNA but to date, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has not been investigated extensively. Mitochondrial variants have been associated with several inherited and age-related disease states; therefore, the study of factors that impact heteroplasmy are important for advancing our understanding of the mitochondrial genome's impact on human health. Heteroplasmy studies require robust and efficient mitochondrial DNA enrichment to carry out in-depth mtDNA sequencing. Many of the current methods for mtDNA enrichment can introduce biases and false-positive results. Here, we use a method that overcomes these limitations and have applied it to assess mitochondrial heteroplasmy in mouse models of altered one-carbon metabolism. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found to cause increased levels of mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy across all tissues that were investigated. Folic acid supplementation also contributed to elevated mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy across all mouse tissues investigated. Heteroplasmy analysis of human data from the Framingham Heart Study suggested a potential sex-specific effect of folate and vitamin B12 status on mitochondrial heteroplasmy. This is a novel relationship that may have broader consequences for our understanding of one-carbon metabolism, mitochondrial-related disease and the influence of nutrients on DNA mutation rates.

A retrospective cohort study on the influencing factors for macrosomia in singleton pregnancies.

To explore the influencing factors of singletons with macrosomia, and to develop interventions for the prevention of macrosomia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 26,379 pregnant women who established the Maternal and Child Health Record and gave birth from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 in a community health service center in Haidian district, Beijing. The study analyzed factors such as maternal age, ethnicity, education level, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, folic acid supplementation, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hyper, hypothyroidism in pregnancy (including subhypothyroidism), hyperthyroidism in pregnancy, and infant gender. Univariate analysis was performed using the χ2 test, and multivariate analysis was performed using non-conditional multivariate logistic regression analysis. Out of 26,379 live births, 5.8% (1522/26,379) were macrosomia and 94.2% (24,857/26,379) were non-macrosomia. Univariate analysis revealed that maternal age, prepregnancy BMI, education level, parity, hypothyroidism during pregnancy, and infant gender were identified as influencing factors for macrosomia (P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed that maternal age ≥ 35 years, education level of high school or below, pre-pregnancy BMI, hypothyroidism, male infant, and parity were all influencing factors for macrosomia (P < .05). Prepregnancy overweight or obesity, male infants, multiparity, and low education level are risk factors for macrosomia. Multiple factors can contribute to macrosomia, and therefore, maternal health care should be strengthened, and early interventions should be taken for the above-mentioned factors in the local area.

Role of Peritoneal Equilibration Test in Assessing Folate Transport During Peritoneal Dialysis

BACKGROUNDLow plasma folate levels have been reported in patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis (PD) in clinical studies. However, folate transport has never been mentioned as a factor contributing to low plasma folate levels in patients undergoing PD. The peritoneal equilibrium test (PET) assesses the plasma creatinine level and glucose transport abilities. This study aimed to evaluate the association between plasma folate levels and folate transport during PD based on PET grades. METHODSThis study recruited 50 patients who underwent PD for ≥ 3 months and were categorized according to PET grades. Data regarding plasma folate levels and dialysate folate were collected. The primary outcomes were the relationship between the PET grade and plasma folate level and between the PET grade and dialysate-to-plasma folate concentration ratio (D/P folate). Furthermore, the difference in the plasma folate level and D/P folate between men and women was assessed. RESULTSThe plasma folate level and the D/P folate significantly differed among the four PET groups (both p < 0.001). PET grade was significantly negatively correlated with plasma folate levels (r=-0.56, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with D/P folate (r=0.686, p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, neither the plasma folate level nor the D/P folate significantly differed between men and women. CONCLUSIONSOur study provides clinical evidence that the PET grade is associated with the plasma folate level and D/P folate, regardless of sex. Larger cohort studies are warranted to assess the importance of folate supplementation during PD based on PET grades.

Fetal In-Utero Microneurosurgical Repair of Myelomeningocele and Myeloschisis: Neursurgical Outcome Updated

Conference presented at the Brazilian Academy of Neurosurgery Pediatric Symposium on December 9th, 2024. Myelomeningocele (MMC) is recognized as the most prevalent neural tube defect (NTD) and the most complex congenital anomaly that is still consistent with life. In the era of folic acid fortification, its incidence has been observed at 3.4 per 10,000 live births. The observed decrease in incidence is attributed to a synergy of enhanced folate supplementation, along with advancements in prenatal diagnostics, and, in certain cases, the option of selective termination. Recently, innovative technology and growing expertise have sparked considerable excitement within the scientific community regarding fetal MMC repair. In this lecture, Dr. Elbabaa shares his surgical outcomes and provides an updated overview of the current state of the art in this surgical field.

Folate supplementation as a beneficial add-on treatment in relieving depressive symptoms: A meta-analysis of meta-analyses.

The results of meta-analyses investigating the role of folate on depression are conflicting. The aim of this umbrella meta-analysis was to obtain an overall effect and give a concise and resolving conclusion. International scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to Oct 2023. All observational and interventional meta-analyses investigating the role of folate in depression were included in the study. Random-effects model was employed to obtain pooled results. I 2 statistics and Cochrane Q test were used to assess the between-study heterogeneity. The quality of included meta-analyses was evaluated using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2) questionnaire. Overall 11 studies were included, of which 8 studies went under quantitative evaluation. The results indicated that folate supplementation significantly relieved depression symptoms [(SMD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.57, -0.27, p < .001; I 2 = 0.0%, p-heterogeneity = 0.554) (WMD: -3.20; 95% CI: -4.00, -2.41, p < .001, I 2 = 14.8%, p-heterogeneity = 0.318)] with low levels of heterogeneity. Also, based on observational studies, folate insufficiency significantly increased the odds ratio of depression by 35% (OR:1.35; 95% CI: 1.27, 1.42, p < .001, I 2 = 8.7%, p-heterogeneity = 0.350). The findings support the fact that folate supplementation could be suggested as an efficacious and adjuvant agent in the alleviation of depression symptoms along with routine medications.

Counseling intervention on iron-folic acid adherence and clinical outcomes among pregnant women and women planning to be pregnant: a scoping review

Anemia during pregnancy is a major health problem that affects 25-50% of the world's population and around 50% of pregnant women. One of the causes of stunting is Low Birth Weight, which most often occurs in mothers who suffer from anemia. Making sure pregnant women have access to iron-folic acid supplement programs is challenging. People's inability to comply often occurred as the result of a lack of understanding of the benefits or harms of the supplement. Providing counseling to pregnant women to improve adherence to taking blood-added supplements has resulted in significant benefits and impacts on changes discussed in several studies that have been conducted in several countries. Through a review of the literature, this study seeks to ascertain the contribution that counseling interventions have to improving iron-folic acid prescription adherence. This study used a literature study research method by examining 8 journals published on the SCOPUS, PubMed, and Garuda Websites. After that, descriptive analysis was used to examine the data from the selected journals. The 8 journals supported the idea that counseling can improve adherence to iron and folic-acid supplementation. There are numerous ways to provide counseling, including the traditional face-to-face approach, the 5A brief approach, leaflet/brochure-based approaches, and counseling through illustrated books. This study concludes that counseling interventions are more effective due to the careful planning of tailored interventions with more regular follow-ups, various forms of interactive educational media, patient characteristics, and direct health professional intervention related to counseling.

High paternal homocysteine causes ventricular septal defects in mouse offspring

Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia is widely considered as an independent risk of congenital heart disease (CHD). However, whether high paternal homocysteine causes CHD remains unknown. Here, we showed that increased homocysteine levels of male mice caused decreased sperm count, sperm motility defect and ventricular septal defect of the offspring. Moreover, high levels of paternal homocysteine decrease sperm DNMT3A/3B, accompanied with changes in DNA methylation levels in the promoter regions of CHD-related genes. Folic acid supplement could decrease the occurrence of VSD in high homocysteine male mice. This study reveals that increased paternal homocysteine level increases VSD risk in the offspring, indicating that decreasing paternal homocysteine may be an intervening target of CHD.

Folic Acid Rescues Dopaminergic Neurons in MPTP-Induced Mice by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Ameliorating Mitochondrial Impairment.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is marked by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN), with neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction being key contributors. The neuroprotective potential of folic acid (FA) in the dopaminergic system of PD was assessed in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced mouse model. MPTP (20 mg/kg of body weight) was administered to C57BL/6J mice to simulate PD symptoms followed by FA treatment (5 mg/kg of body weight). Behavioral tests, pole, rotarod, and open-field tests, evaluated motor function, while immunohistochemistry, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting quantified neuroinflammation, oxidative stress markers, and mitochondrial function. FA supplementation considerably improved motor performance, reduced homocysteine levels and mitigated oxidative damage in the SN. The FA-attenuated activation of the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome lessened glial cell activity and reduced neuroinflammation. At the molecular level, FA reduced DNA damage, downregulated phosphorylated p53, and induced the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), enhancing mitochondrial function. Therefore, FA exerts neuroprotection in MPTP-induced PD by inhibiting neuroinflammation via NLRP3 inflammasome suppression and promoting mitochondrial integrity through the p53-PGC-1α pathway. Notable limitations of our study include its reliance on a single animal model and the incompletely elucidated mechanisms underlying the impact of FA on mitochondrial dynamics. Future investigations will explore the clinical utility of FA and its molecular mechanisms, further advancing it as a potential therapeutic for managing and delaying the progression of PD.

Risk of Excess Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation in Offspring.

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, facilitates the transfer of methyl groups among molecules, which is crucial for amino acid metabolism and nucleotide synthesis. Adequate maternal folate supplementation has been widely acknowledged for its pivotal role in promoting cell proliferation and preventing neural tube defects. However, in the post-fortification era, there has been a rising concern regarding an excess maternal intake of folic acid (FA), the synthetic form of folate. In this review, we focused on recent advancements in understanding the influence of excess maternal FA intake on offspring. For human studies, we summarized findings from clinical trials investigating the effects of periconceptional FA intake on neurodevelopment and molecular-level changes in offspring. For studies using mouse models, we compiled the impact of high maternal FA supplementation on gene expression and behavioral changes in offspring. In summary, excessive maternal folate intake could potentially have adverse effects on offspring. Overall, we highlighted concerns regarding elevated maternal folate status in the population, providing a comprehensive perspective on the potential adverse effects of excessive maternal FA supplementation on offspring.