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Results for “Serum Folate Level”

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PubMed1993

[Is it necessary to supplement with folic acid patients in chronic dialysis treated with erythropoietin?].

The need for folate supplementation in patients on chronic hemodialysis receiving erythropoietin (EPO) remains to be determined. Thirty five patients on chronic hemodialysis were studied; of these 10 did not receive EPO nor folic acid, 12 received EPO with folic acid supplementation and the rest only EPO. In these groups, after 9 +/- 2.9 months of treatment, serum folate levels were normal, although higher in those patients supplemented with folate. An additional group of 8 patients, previously supplemented with 2 mg/week of folate, was studied during the first 10 weeks of EPO treatment. In these patients a significant decrease in serum folate was observed from the first to the tenth week (from 18 +/- 29 to 7 +/- 4 ng/ml). Red cell folate had an unexplained raise during the first four weeks and went back to near basal levels during the next weeks. As expected serum ferritin levels decreased at the end of the study period, but remained over 100 ng/ml Red blood cell protoporphyrin remained normal. We thus recommend the measurement of serum and red cell folate levels during the first and tenth weeks of the induction phase of EPO treatment. Also, folic acid supplementation in doses of 2 mg/week is recommended to maintain adequate body stores, specially in extremely anorectic hemodialysis patients or those in whom strict diets without fruits are prescribed.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Use of folic acid-fortified milk in the elderly population.

Folic acid deficiency is common in the elderly population, resulting in anaemia, dementia, many neurological sequelae and an indirect role in atheromatous disease. An increase in natural food folate is relatively ineffective at increasing folate status and the use of folate fortification of foodstuffs is recommended. The aim of our study was to assess the benefits of folic acid-fortified milk to the folate status of an elderly institutionalised population. 49 subjects received fortified milk as part of their daily diet for at least 6 months (active group) and 40 subjects received unfortified milk (control group). Our results showed a mean serum folate level in the active group of 5.81 (1.1-17.6) microgram/l compared to the control group mean of 2.16 (0.5-9.4) microgram/l (p < 0.001; normal range for serum folate 2.7-20 microgram/l). Similarly the mean red cell folate level in the active group of 316.5 (130-905) microgram/l was significantly higher than the control group mean of 196.1 (95-490) microgram/l (p < 0.001; normal range for red cell folate 150-1,000 microgram/l). Our results suggest that folic acid-fortified milk is an efficacious and acceptable method of administration of folic acid in the elderly population and we recommend the use of folic acid-fortified milk in the regular daily diet of the elderly population.

Aged↗

PubMed1982

Truncal ataxia in chronic anticonvulsant treatment. Association with drug-induced folate deficiency.

The association of truncal ataxia with a number of different factors has been studied in a group of 95 epileptic outpatients on chronic anticonvulsant treatment. The 28 patients showing truncal ataxia had been epileptic for a longer period of time, received a significantly larger number of drugs, and had higher serum levels of phenobarbital than the non-ataxic group. Serum folate levels were significantly lower in the ataxic group. A role is postulated for anticonvulsant-induced folate deficiency in the appearance of truncal ataxia presenting after prolonged anti-convulsant therapy, either by increasing the serum levels of the anticonvulsants or through other, unknown mechanisms. The presence of tonic-clonic seizures, presumably associated with brain anoxia, was not associated with the appearance of truncal ataxia.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1991

Biological activity of racemic folate mixtures fed to folate-depleted rats.

Most commercially available tretrahydro and substituted folates are racemic mixtures of R and S isomers about pteridine-carbon 6. Some reports show the unnatural stereoisomers modify specific aspects of folate metabolism, whereas others show no significantly different biologic effects between isomers. The extent to which unnatural folate stereoisomers are inert in vivo is unclear. Possible interactions between isomers at normal dietary folate intakes were tested by comparing growth, liver and serum folate concentrations, and congener patterns of folate-depleted rats fed amino acid-based diets with 283, 566 or 1132 nmol folic acid (standards), or 566 nmol racemic 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, 5-formyltetrahydrofolate or 5,10-diformyltetrahydrofolate/kg diet for 3 wk. Growth and tissue folate levels increased with each increment in dietary folic acid. Growth and liver and serum folate concentrations of rats fed 566 nmol 5-formyltetrahydrofolate or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate/kg diet were similar to those of rats fed 283 nmol folic acid/kg diet. Rats fed 5,10-diformyltetrahydrofolate lost weight and had depressed serum folate levels, and most died. Results show that biologic activity of racemic 5-formyltetrahydrofolate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was half that of folic acid, and the R isomer did not affect growth at the levels fed. Addition of a second formyl group destroyed folate bioactivity. The folate-depleted rat model is useful for testing biologic effects of individual folate stereoisomers in vivo as they become commercially available.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2004

Kidney and anemia in familial amyloidosis type I.

BACKGROUND: Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) type I is caused by a mutated transthyretin (TTR V30M) and characterized by a sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathy. Renal, cardiac, and ocular abnormalities can also occur. Anemia has been described in previous reports, but its prevalence in Portuguese FAP patients is not precisely known. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia in FAP type I Portuguese patients and to evaluate the contribution of erythropoietin (Epo) to its genesis. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was undertaken to determinate the prevalence and characteristics of anemia in 165 FAP patients. For comparison analysis, 3 control groups were also evaluated, 1 group of 46 apparently healthy subjects, 1 group of 17 asymptomatic carriers of FAP-trait, and a group of 14 non-FAP patients with chronic renal insufficiency. Serum Epo levels were analyzed in all groups. RESULTS: Anemia was present in 24.8% of symptomatic FAP patients. Iron stores, B12 vitamin, and serum folate levels were normal. FAP patients presented significantly lower serum Epo levels than healthy controls (P= 0.003). Epo levels were found lower than expected for the degree of anemia and in 17.5% were undetectable. Low Epo values were observed independently of the presence of renal failure or anemia, and sometimes preceded clinical disease. CONCLUSION: Anemia in FAP type I is a common manifestation. The results clearly suggest a defective endogenous Epo production in the genesis of the anemia.

Adult↗

PubMed1977

Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels, vitamin B12 and folic acid binding proteins in patients with primary carcinoma of the liver.

Serum vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B12 and folic acid binding protein concentration were determined in 31 patients with primary carcinoma of the liver. Serum vitamin B12 level was found to be higher in 16 of 31 (52%) patients with carcinoma of the liver and the mean value was also significantly higher than that of the control group. There was no significant difference between the mean values of serum UBBC of these 2 groups. TCI and TCIII increased while TCII decreased considerably in the patient group. Serum folate level in patients with primary carcinoma of the liver was significantly lower than that of the control group. About 39% of these patients had serum folate level lower than the lowest value of the control group. Serum FABP in the former group was also significantly higher than that of the latter group.

Adult↗

PubMed1977

A comparative trial of haematinic supplements in pregnancy.

Four haematinic supplements--Slow-Fe, FGF, Ferro-Gradumet and Ferro-Grad tfolic--were prospectively studied in 103 healthy pregnant patients. Significant differences in the mean cell counts, haematocrit values, haemoglobin levels, iron-binding capacities and serum folate levels were noted. The changes paralleled the elemental iron present in the compount. In this series, side effects principally vomiting and constipation, were more frequent in the lower dose iron group. Form both the haematological status aspect and the lack of side effects, Ferro-Grad Folic and Ferro-Gradumet were superior to both FGF and Slow-Fe (old formulation).

Drug Combinations↗

PubMed2002

Prevalence of anemia during pregnancy: results of Valencia (Venezuela) anemia during pregnancy study.

To determine the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy in Venezuelan pregnant women. By using a cross-sectional study, 630 Venezuelan pregnant women in their third trimester at labor from the Valencia Anemia during Pregnancy Study were studied. Anemia during pregnancy was defined according to WHO guidelines (Hb < 11 g/dl), iron deficiency was considered when serum ferritin level was < 12 ng/ml, and when serum folate level was < 3 ng/ml, it was considered as folate deficiency. 630 pregnant women (mean [+/- SD] age, 24 +/- 6.4 years) having an average of Hb 11.38 +/- 1.47 g/dl [95%CI = 11.27 to 11.50] were studied. No patient had hemolytic anemia nor clinical infections. Almost all patients were from low or very low socioeconomic status. Prevalence of anemia was 34.44% (severe: 1.8%, moderate: 15.2%, and mild: 83%). Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was present in 39.2% (95%CI = 32.7 to 45.7), prevalence of folate deficiency anemia (FDA) was 11.98% (95%CI = 7.6% to 16.3%). Combined anemia (IDA and FDA) occurred in 11.52% (95%CI = 7.27% to 15.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that multiparous (odds ratio -OR-: 1.95, 95%CI = 1.28 to 2.97, p = .002) and supplement use of iron (OR: .55 (95%CI = .33 to .91, p = .02) are associated with IDA. The factors associated with FDA were: supplement use of folic acid (OR: .37 (95%CI = .19 to .71, p = .003) and appropriate prenatal control (OR: .51 95%CI = .27 to .96, p = .04). Prevalence of anemia during pregnancy was found to be high. Educational efforts should be stressed in order to encourage improvements in the prenatal care visits.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Treatable dementias.

Dementia, a syndrome of acquired intellectual deterioration, is an etiologically nonspecific condition that can be permanent or reversible. When evaluating demented patients, a careful exposure history will determine the possible role of drugs, metals, or toxins. Physical examination may reveal focal deficits in cases of intracranial mass lesions and spasticity or ataxia of the lower limbs if hydrocephalus is present. Coexistence of dementia and a peripheral neuropathy usually indicates the existence of a toxic or metabolic disorder. Depressed mood, sleep disturbance, anorexia, impotence, constipation, and psychomotor retardation indicate the presence of a depressive syndrome. Asterixis, myoclonus, and postural tremor are common in toxic-metabolic dementias, whereas resting tremor, choreoathetosis, or rigidity occur in progressive extrapyramidal disorder. EEG is focally abnormal in cases of cerebral mass lesions and shows generalized slowing in toxic-metabolic encephalopathies. CT will aid in the identification of hydrocephalus, subdural hematomas, and intracranial mass lesions. A thorough laboratory evaluation including complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen and blood sugar, liver and thyroid function tests, serum calcium and phosphorus levels, B12 and folate levels, serum copper and ceruloplasmin, VDRL, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and lumbar puncture may demonstrate treatable disorders that are adversely affecting intellectual function. Elderly individuals are particularly susceptible to the effects of toxic or metabolic disorders, and a mild dementia may be exaggerated by relatively minor fluctuations in metabolic status. Treatable causes of dementia should be sought in all demented patients.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗

PubMed1975

Serum and red cell folate activity and folic acid absorption in patients with hookworm infection.

Red cell and serum folate levels and folic acid absorption were studied in patients with hookworm infection. The mean value of serum folic acid level was found to be significantly lower than that of the normal subjects and 32% of cases had serum folic acid level less than 4 ng/ml. The red cell folate content in all patients studied were within the normal limits. The mean value of the folic acid absorption was also lower than that of the normal. Six out of 13 patients absorbed folic acid less than 38%, the lowest value obtained from the normal subjects. These findings indicated that there was a negative balance of folic acid in some patients with hookworm infection which was probably due to impairment in absorption.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Serum and red blood cell folate levels in parturients, in the intervillous space of the placenta and in full-term newborns.

Folates, essential nutrients for man, are especially important during gestation. Serum and red blood cell folate levels were measured in 51 parturients and in their respective placentas and concepts, with the objective to further elucidate the mechanisms of folate transfer from mother to fetus. The interrelationships between the three compartments with respect to folate levels were also studied (Tab. I). Serum and red blood cell folates were measured by radioimmunoassay in samples of venous blood from the mother, from the intervillous space of the placenta, and from the umbilical cord. Higher folate levels were detected in newborns than in their mothers both in serum (3.9 times) and red blood cells (2.3 times). Serum folate levels were higher in the intervillous space of the placenta than in newborns (1.3 times) or mothers (4.5 times) Fig. 1, 2). These data suggest that the placenta concentrates folates, thus offering high concentrations of this vitamin to the fetus. It is possible that folate-binding proteins existing in the placenta participate in the mechanism of folate concentration in this organ. However, despite the existence of a transfer mechanism that benefits the fetus, a significant positive correlation was observed between serum folate levels of mothers, newborns and placentas.

Chorionic Villi↗

PubMed2005

High frequency of suboptimal serum vitamin B12 level in adults in Jordan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of functional vitamin B12 deficiency status in an adult Jordanian seemingly healthy population. METHODS: We carried out this study in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordanian University of Science and Technology, Jordan from September 2004 to January 2005. We included a randomly selected sample of 216 healthy adult volunteers (male 124, female 92, aged 19-50 years) from north Jordan. We carried out the measurement of hematological variables by Micros 60-OT Analyzer. We measured the serum vitamin B12 by microparticle enzyme immunoassay and serum folate by ion-capture assay on an AxSYM Analyzer. RESULTS: We found suboptimal (<222 pg/ml) serum levels of vitamin B12 in 104 (48.1%) (male 64, female 40) subjects. The mean serum vitamin B12 level of male in all volunteers was 238.8 +/- 97.3 pg/ml, not significantly different (p=0.24) from that of female (261.8 +/- 101.6 pg/ml). The mean serum values of vitamin B12 of male in the suboptimal group (168.3 +/- 36.4 pg/ml; range 90-221) were not significantly different from that of female (178.2 +/- 27.5 pg/ml; range 113-217) (p=0.31). Of the suboptimal group, 30 subjects (28.8%) had hyper-segmented neutrophils, 38 subjects (36.5%) had low mean corpuscular volume and 8 subjects (7.7%) had sub-optimal serum folate levels. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that there was a high frequency of suboptimal serum vitamin B12 level, which is an early sign of negative B12 balance.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Serum folates during the reproductive cycle of sows.

In a first trial, serum folates concentration was measured in 105 sows randomly distributed into seven groups of 15 animals each. Each group represented one time period of the reproductive cycle: weaning, mating, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 110 d of gestation. The average serum folates concentrations for the different groups of sows were, expressed as ng/ml +/- SE, 99.5 +/- 8.9, 68.5 +/- 9.6, 63.9 +/- 7.4, 59.5 +/- 5.7, 39.6 +/- 5.7, 45.3 +/- 5.8 and 49.1 +/- 6.3, respectively. Results showed a biphasic decrease in serum folates levels, first at mating and then at 60 d of gestation. These results indicate a possible deficiency in serum folates during mid-gestation. In a second trial, 20 sows were assigned randomly to four groups of five animals each, representing four time periods of the reproductive cycle: weaning, mating, 30 and 60 d of gestation. One intramuscular injection of 15 mg folic acid was administered to all sows and serum folates concentration was measured before the injection and at 2-d intervals during a period of 14 d after the injection. An increase in serum folates was noted in sows of all groups. The time response curves observed after the injection are presented and discussed. The decrease in folates levels observed during early and mid-gestation could be moderated by im administration of this vitamin.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Homocysteine levels in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) have vasomotor dysregulation, mainly cause 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 to 14.4), and 10.6 (6.0 to 15.3) 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.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels in centenarians are not associated with cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have shown elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in elderly person with impaired cognition. OBJECTIVE: To study the association between cognitive status and plasma tHcy levels in centenarians. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Centenarians living in two northern Italian provinces. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen cognitively normal centenarians, ten cognitively impaired not-demented centenarians, and 34 demented centenarians with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). MEASUREMENTS: Blood levels of homocysteine's biological determinants vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin B6. RESULTS: Elevated plasma tHcy levels (>17 micromol/l) were common in the general population (77% of normal centenarians, 100% of cognitively impaired not-demented centenarians, 82% of AD centenarians). Demented centenarians had the lowest folate serum levels. Low or borderline vitamin B12 serum levels (<221 pmol/l) and low vitamin B6 plasma levels (<11.7 nmol/l) were found in 33 and 66% of all centenarians independently of cognitive status. Among demented centenarians only plasma tHcy correlated inversely with both serum vitamin B12 and folate. No significant difference was found for plasma tHcy levels among the three diagnostic groups, even after adjusting for B vitamin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperhomocysteinemia is very common among centenarians, probably due to vitamin deficiencies, but does not seem to be associated with cognitive impairment.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Folate metabolism and problem behaviour in mentally handicapped epileptics.

Two groups of mentally handicapped residents were studied consisting of 32 epileptics on anti-epileptic medication and 32 non-epileptic controls. The epileptic group showed a significantly low serum folate level compared with the non-epileptic control group. Serum vitamin B12 and behaviour rating did not show any significant difference between two groups. Comparison of patients receiving phenytoin and those who were not showed significantly lower serum folate in the sub-group receiving phenytoin, but there was no significant difference between the sub-groups with respect to vitamin B12 or behaviour problem rating.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Reference values for serum folate, erythrocyte folate and serum cobalamin in Nigerian adolescents.

Concentrations of serum folate, red cell folate and serum cobalamin were studied among 240 normal healthy Nigerian adolescents aged 12-17 years. Serum folate level was generally low with a mean of 2.8 nmol/l while red cell folate level was not low with a mean of 369 nmol/l. Mean serum cobalamin was 615 pmol/l. A negative significant correlation was observed between serum folate and red cell folate among the adolescents (r = 0.24). Another significant correlation was observed among the 14 year olds between red cell folate and serum cobalamin (r = 0.404). The folate parameters were significantly lower in the adolescents with HbAS genotype with mean serum folate of 2.2 nmol/l and red cell folate of 326 nmol/l but these differences were more marked among the girls. All the girls in the study had significantly higher serum cobalamin than the boys (p less than 0.001) but the advantage of this is not clear. These results suggest that serum cobalamin may be under some hormonal influences and the high values indicate that cobalamin may be involved in other metabolic functions from the puberty period.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Homocysteine levels in vegetarians versus omnivores.

Vitamin B(12), folate, and vitamin B(6) are the main determinants of homocysteinemia. The vegan diet provides no vitamin B(12), but also less strict forms of alternative nutrition may suffer from a deficit of this vitamin. The plasma homocysteine level was measured in alternative nutrition groups of adults (lacto- and lactoovovegetarians, n = 62; vegans, n = 32) and compared with the levels in a group consuming traditional diet (n = 59), omnivores). In the group of vegetarians the average homocysteine level is 13.18 vs. 10.19 micromol/l in omnivores; the frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia is 29 vs. 5% in omnivores. In the group of vegans the average homocysteine value is 15.79 micromol/l (53% of the individual values exceeded 15 micromol/l). Omnivores consume the recommended amount of methionine; however, in individuals consuming an alternative diet, the intake of methionine is deficient (assessed by food frequency questionnaire; lower content of methionine in plant proteins). Under conditions of lower methionine availability the remethylation pathway prevails; therefore, vitamin B(12) and folate were evaluated in relation to the homocysteine level. The serum vitamin B(12) levels are significantly lower in the alternative nutrition groups (214.8 pmol/l in vegetarians, 140.1 pmol/l in vegans vs. 344.7 pmol/l in omnivores); a deficit (<179.0 pmol/l) was found in 26% of the vegetarians and in 78% of the vegans vs. 0% in omnivores. The serum folate levels were within the range of reference values in all groups; however, they were significantly lower in omnivores. The results show that the mild hyperhomocysteinemia in alternative nutrition is a consequence of vitamin B(12) deficiency.

Adult↗