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Results for “Serum Folate Level”

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PubMed1998

Folate status, vascular disease and cognition in elderly Canadians.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the relationship between serum folate levels and the prevalence of stroke, peripheral vascular disease, cognitive problems and short-term mortality in elderly people. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 1171 subjects whose serum folate was determined as part of their clinical examination in the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, a population study of individuals 65 years and older. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis compared relationships between serum folate levels and clinical features; longitudinal analysis examined mortality at follow-up by folate status at the time of the clinical examination. RESULTS: Membership in the lowest quartile for serum folate was associated with an increased likelihood of stroke. Those with low folate levels were more likely to be demented, institutionalized and depressed. In the cognitively impaired but not demented group, those with low folate levels scored lower on the Modified Mini Mental State and had more short-term memory problems. CONCLUSIONS: Low folate level was a significant explanatory variable for stroke. Low folate levels were common in all types of dementia and were associated with a history of weight loss, lower body mass index and lower serum albumin concentrations. This may reflect the reduced ability of cognitively impaired individuals to eat adequately.

Aged↗

PubMed1976

Cotrimoxazole and folate metabolism.

Cotrimoxazole 4 tablets daily (1 tablet = trimethoprim 80 mg and sulphamethoxzole 400 mg) was given for a period of six to fourteen days to 13 inpatients, and serum-folate levels were measured before and one day after the course of treatment. The results were compared with those from 8 patients not receiving antibacterial therapy, tested on admission and one week later. Two assay techniques were used, one employing Lactobacillus casei and the other 125I-labelled folate isotope dilution. The microbiological technique showed a significant decline in folic-acid levels in the serum after cotrimoxazole, and this decline was not seen in controls. By contrast, the radioisotope technique showed no significant alteration in serum-folate levels compared with controls. This suggests that cotrimoxazole does not depress true serum-folate and that many low microbiological results obtained during cotrimoxazole therapy reflect interference with the assay organism. There is insufficient evidence to incriminate cotrimoxazole as a significant cause of blood dyscrasias in excess of those which might occur on sulphonamide alone or even with other antibacterials.

Biological Assay↗

PubMed1994

Influence of smoking on folate intake and blood folate concentrations in a group of elderly Spanish men.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between smoking habits and folate status in a group of elderly Spanish men. DESIGN: We studied folate intake, serum and erythrocyte folate concentrations, hematological and biochemical data in 72 elderly males (comparing 24 smokers data with 44 nonsmokers ones). RESULTS: Percentage deficiencies for folate intake, serum and erythrocyte levels were higher in smokers. Serum folate levels were significantly higher in nonsmokers. Smokers had higher mean corpuscular volume than did nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking could be harmful to the intake and folate status. For smokers who will not give up the habit, improved dietary intake or a folate supplement is advisable.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Factors influencing mutation at the hprt locus in T-lymphocytes: women treated for breast cancer.

Forty-nine women with breast cancer were enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal study of the genetic damage caused by treatment. Assays of mutant frequency at the hprt locus in peripheral blood lymphocytes were performed at approximately 6-month intervals for 2 years. Treatment consisted of surgery alone or additional tamoxifen, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy in various combinations. At 6 months, there was an elevation of mean mutant frequency compared to initial values (P = 0.004) which persisted for as many as 2 years. A significant elevation at 6 months occurred only in the group of women who received combination chemotherapy (P = 0.005). Within this group, 5 of 15 patients had striking elevations of mutant frequency following chemotherapy (greater than 3 SD). Three of these 5 women had serum folate levels in the deficient range, while only one of 9 patients with lesser responses to chemotherapy were folate deficient. The change in mutant frequency after chemotherapy was inversely related to serum folate levels (P = 0.05) and to the number of years of smoking cigarettes (P = 0.01). We conclude that of the various modalities used to treat breast cancer, only chemotherapy was accompanied by a high risk of somatic mutation. A subset of patients manifested substantial increases in mutant frequency, often in association with low serum folate levels.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2004

Diet, serum homocysteine levels and ischaemic heart disease in a Mediterranean population.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is recognised as a risk factor for IHD. Serum Hcy is negatively correlated with serum folate levels, the main sources of which are fruits, vegetables and legumes. The present case-control study was designed to examine the relationship between serum Hcy levels and IHD and to assess the role of dietary factors in the southern Mediterranean population of Crete, Greece. Serum Hcy, folate, vitamin B12, creatinine and glucose levels and a full lipid profile were measured in 152 patients with established IHD, median age 64 (range 33-77) years, and 152 healthy control subjects, age- and sex-matched. Dietary data were assessed using a 3 d food intake record. Compared with controls, patients with IHD had significantly higher daily intakes of vitamin B12 and MUFA and significantly lower intakes of carbohydrate, fibre, folate, cholesterol, n-3 fatty acids and total trans unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, patients had significantly higher serum Hcy, vitamin B12 and creatinine levels, but significantly lower folate. Serum folate concentrations in both groups had a significant positive correlation with dietary fibre consumption and a significant inverse correlation with vitamin B12 intake. IHD patients should be encouraged to increase their daily dietary intake of fibre, folate and n-3 fatty acids, which are significant components of the traditional Cretan Mediterranean diet. Where dietary folate intake is inadequate, folate supplements are recommended to reduce elevated Hcy levels.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Serum homocysteine, folate level and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677, 1298 gene polymorphism in Korean schizophrenic patients.

High homocysteine serum level has been regarded as one of the important factors that influence the development of schizophrenia. Genetic variations of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, which is a main enzyme reducing homocysteine level, are reported in schizophrenic patients. We measured the serum level of homocysteine/folate and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T/A1298C gene polymorphism in 235 patients with schizophrenia. Plasma homocysteine levels were higher and folate levels were lower in patients than in comparison subjects. Variations of C677T were more frequent in patients than in comparison subjects. Patients with the 677TT genotype showed higher homocysteine levels than patients with the CC and CT genotypes. These findings suggest that folate supplement may be beneficial to some schizophrenic patients with homocysteinemia due to the genetic defect of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed1979

[Investigations of iron and folate levels in serum after implantation of heart valve prostheses (author's transl)].

In 90 patients with prosthetic heart valves, the presence of iron and folate deficiencies was assessed in a double-blind study. Anemia was found in 18 cases. Average serum iron levels were below the normal range and could be incremented significantly through the administration of 193 mg Fe++ daily during a 4-week period. No evidence of folate deficiency was found.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗

PubMed1969

Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in acute and chronic renal disease. Effect of peritoneal dialysis.

Serum folate and vitamin B(12) levels have been measured in 32 patients with renal failure. The initial mean serum folate level was raised above normal in seven patients with acute renal failure whereas the mean level in eight patients severely ill from chronic renal failure was significantly lower than normal. Serum folate levels fell during peritoneal dialysis and rose between dialyses in all these patients and also in one patient who was dialysed for acute pancreatitis.The mean serum B(12) level was raised in patients with both acute and chronic renal failure, but there was no consistent change in serum B(12) level during dialysis.Hypersegmented polymorphs were present in the peripheral blood film of most of the patients with acute or chronic renal failure. Their presence bore no relation to the clinical state, blood urea, serum folate, or serum B(12) level of the patients.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Folate status during labor: relationship with pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the folate status of pregnant women at labor, and to detect probable relationships with the gestational age at delivery, the birth weight of the newborns, as well as the mode of the delivery, taking into account any changes in the fetal heart rate (FHR) at labor and, subsequently, operative delivery. METHODS: Maternal serum folate levels were determined using automated fluorometric enzyme-linked assays. Gestational age was determined by ultrasound in the first trimester followed by serial fetal biometry. RESULTS: The results of our study in 101 consecutive pregnant women revealed that the mean (+/-SD) maternal serum concentration of the folate during labor was 12.01 (+/-4.16) ng/ml (range 2.50-23). The mean (+/-SD) gestational age at labor was 38.5 (+/-1.2) weeks (range 35-41 wks) as also the mean (+/-SD) birth weight of the newborns was 3.217 (+/-403) g (range 2,000-4,250 g). CONCLUSIONS: No significant correlation (p>0.05) between folate levels of the maternal serum and gestational age at delivery or birth weight was found. The mode of delivery as a result of probable relationship between operative delivery and maternal serum folate levels was also not found.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Do Thai women of child bearing age need pre-conceptional supplementation of dietary folate?

Recent studies in western countries have indicated that women with low serum folate before pregnancy have greater risk of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects, and preconceptional folate supplementation has been recommended to prevent such defects. To determine whether Thai women needed folate supplementation before pregnancy, we carried out a cross-sectional study from September 2001 to January 2002. The objectives were to determine serum folate levels among women of child-bearing age and their relationship to dietary folate intake. One hundred and sixty-five apparently healthy, volunteer women aged 15 - 45 years were recruited from the Family Planning Clinic, Mother and Child Hospital, Health Promotion Centre, Region I, Bangkok. Data on general characteristics, nutritional status and dietary folate intake were recorded while venous blood was drawn for serum folate analysis. Results showed that 65.5% of the study group had low dietary folate intake, that 18% had low serum folate, and that there was a significant correlation between dietary intake and serum level (r = 0.68, P<0.001). There were also significant correlations between serum level and body mass index, (r =0.13, P<0.001). However, there were no significant associations between serum level and age, educational level, occupation, family income, or duration vegetables were stored in the refrigerator before consumption. In conclusion, there is preliminary evidence that some pregnant Thai women may have sufficiently low serum folate levels to put their babies at risk. We recommend further study on a larger scale to confirm whether folate supplementation is needed for Thai women at child bearing age. In the interim, it may be wise for obstetricians to measure serum folate in pregnant women to determine whether folate supplementation is required.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Serum folate and homocysteine levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Local and systemic metabolic alterations are always present in cancer. Carcinogenesis is associated with biochemical disorders, often nonspecific, that might promote or derive from tumoral progression. Thus, analysis of metabolic alterations may be a valuable approach to understanding the biochemistry of tumors and may provide a means of identifying new targets for therapy. The methionine cycle in particular has been extensively studied in human cancer. METHODS: The authors analyzed serum concentrations of two metabolites of such pathways, folate and homocysteine, in 42 patients affected by head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in comparison with two control groups, composed of smokers and non smokers. RESULTS: Mean folate level was 5.8 +/- 2.1 ng/mL in carcinoma patients, 9.1 +/- 2.7 ng/mL in smoking controls, and 9.7 +/- 2.2 ng/mL in non smoking controls, with a statistically significant difference between carcinoma patients and smokers (mean difference: -3.3 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -4.234 to -2.366; P < 0.0001) and between carcinoma patients and non smokers (mean difference: -3.9 ng/mL; 95% CI: -4.67 to -3.13; P < 0.0001). Mean total homocysteine level was 10.4 +/- 5.3 microM in carcinoma patients, 7.8 +/- 2.5 microM in the non-smokers' group, and 8.3 +/- 2.8 microM in the smokers' group, with statistically significant differences between carcinoma patients and smoking controls (mean difference: 2.1 microM; 95% CI: 0.7056 to 3.494; P = 0.0034) and between carcinoma patients and non smoking controls (mean difference: 2.6 microM; 95% CI: 1.381 to 3.819; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in serum levels of folate and homocysteine might arise from tumor development and consequent metabolic alterations or might precede and promote tumor progression. If hypofolatemia is a risk factor for head and neck carcinogenesis, it might suggest a role for folate as a novel chemopreventive agent both in patients with precancerous lesions and in patients with treated HNSCC at risk for loco-regional recurrence and second primary tumors.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12 nutritional status and milk composition of low-income Brazilian mothers.

The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status of low-income Brazilian mothers, who were supplemented with iron and vitamin B12 during pregnancy, in terms of iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12, in different stages of lactation and to determine the influence of the maternal nutritional status on milk composition. The effect of folate supplementation during pregnancy on folate status of the nursing mothers and milk composition was investigated. The effect of partial weaning on maternal status and milk composition was also studied. In general, the nutritional status of iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12 of the mothers appears adequate. However, some of the mothers had indices of status lower than normal limits for non-pregnant women. These values, particularly after 30 d post-partum, indicate that these mothers might be at nutritional risk and that the nutrient supplementation received during pregnancy was insufficient to meet demands. There was an increase with the stage of lactation for haematocrit, serum vitamin B12, serum zinc, serum albumin, milk folate and saturation of its binding protein, but there was a decrease for milk protein, total and whey-bound iron and zinc, and lactoferrin. Mothers who took folate supplements during pregnancy had higher serum folate levels immediately after birth than those not taking the supplements but no differences were found at later stages of lactation. Milk composition was not affected. Partial weaning did not affect the maternal nutritional status or the milk composition except for iron which was higher in milk from mothers who were partially breastfeeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Brazil↗

PubMed2006

The effect of two different doses comprising the simultaneous administration of intravenous B-complex vitamins and oral folic acid on serum homocysteine levels in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Several regimens using different doses of folic acid (FA) alone or supplemented with B-complex vitamins (BCVs) have been tested for their ability to reduce total homocysteine (tHcy) serum levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the present study, we assessed the effect of two different doses comprising the simultaneous administration of intravenous (IV) BCVs and an oral FA supplementation on serum tHCy levels in HD patients. PATIENTS-METHODS: In a cohort of 49 patients (31 male, 18 female) undergoing chronic HD treatment for a mean of 40.0+/-40.7 months, serum concentrations of tHcy, folate and vitamin-B12 (vB12) were determined at the end of three sequential periods as follows: 20 weeks without any BCV and/or FA supplementation (period A), 20 weeks with a dose comprising the simultaneous administration of IV BCVs and an oral supplementation of 5 mg of FA once a week (period B), and 20 weeks with a dose comprising the simultaneous administration of IV BCVs and an oral supplementation of 5 mg of FA thrice a week (period C). An IV dose of BCVs consisting of a 5 mL solution containing vitamin B1 (250 mg), vitamin B6 (250 mg) and vitamin B12 (1.5 mg) was administered at the end of hemodialysis. RESULTS: Mean serum tHcy levels were significantly higher at the end of period A relative to levels at the end of periods B and C (35.8+/-23 micromol/L vs. 22.0+/-17.6 and 15.0+/-4.5 micromol/L, respectively; p<0.000001). Mean serum folate levels and mean serum vB12 levels were significantly lower at the end of period A relative to levels at the end of periods B and C (p<0.000001). Mean serum tHcy levels were lowest at the end of period C (p<0.000001 in comparison to periods A and B), and 26 of the 49 HD patients (67.3%) possessed tHcy levels below 16 micromol/L. CONCLUSIONS: In HD patients, high doses consisting of the simultaneous administration of IV BCVs and an oral FA supplementation resulted in the efficient reduction of serum tHcy levels.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2004

Hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with Cushing's syndrome.

We evaluated serum homocysteine concentrations and the C677T polymorphism of the gene encoding for methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, a key enzyme for homocysteine metabolism, in 57 patients with Cushing's syndrome, 41 with active disease, and 16 in remission after successful surgery and 105 blood donors. The patients with active Cushing's syndrome had significantly higher serum homocysteine levels and lower folate concentrations than either the patients in remission or controls. The presence of a statistically significant difference in homocysteine concentrations among the three groups was confirmed after adjustment for confounding variables. In a multiple regression model, homocysteine levels were significantly associated with midnight serum cortisol levels (beta = 0.33, P = 0.01), which is the most sensitive marker of endogenous hypercortisolism, and serum folate levels (beta = -0.32, P = 0.02). The distribution of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase genotypes was not different between patients and controls. In conclusion, active hypercortisolism is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and reduced serum folate concentrations, whereas the patients in remission have homocysteine concentrations comparable with healthy subjects. Low serum folate concentrations do not fully account for the increase in homocysteine levels that are positively correlated with cortisol levels. Hyperhomocysteinemia may be key to the prothrombotic state and increased cardiovascular risk of Cushing's syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Homocysteine, MTHFR C677 T, vitamin B12, and folate levels in Thai children with ischemic stroke: a case-control study.

Hyperhomocysteinemia has been identified as a risk factor for venous and arterial thrombosis especially in adult populations. Twenty-eight patients with an initial diagnosis of ischemic stroke and 100 controls, aged <or=18 years, were enrolled in this study. The mean plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in patients and controls were significantly different with values of 8.7+/-3.6 and 7.5+/-2.4 micromol/L, respectively (P=0.01). The plasma tHcy at the 95th percentile was 11.5 micromol/L and patients whose plasma tHcy was above the 95th percentile had an odds ratio of 8.2 (95% confidence interval 1.4-47.2, P=0.02) for developing ischemic stroke. The genetic and acquired factors that could have affected plasma tHcy levels were studied and no differences were found between patients and controls. Factors that were investigated were vitamin B12, red blood cell folate, and serum folate levels as well as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism. It is of note, however, that subjects whose plasma tHcy was above the 95th percentile had significantly lower serum folate levels (P=0.02).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1971

Folate metabolism in epileptic and psychiatric patients.

Serum and red cell folate levels and serum vitamin B(12) levels have been estimated in 33 normal controls; 34 epileptic outpatients, 19 of whom also suffered from psychiatric illness; 33 epileptic inpatients with psychiatric illness; and 30 non-epileptic inpatients with psychiatric illness. Significant lowering of serum folate and red cell folate levels was observed in epileptic patients with psychiatric illness, and a less significant fall in red cell folate levels was found in non-epileptic psychiatric patients. Serum folate levels less than 2·5 ng/ml. were found in two controls, seven outpatient epileptics, 29 inpatients, and 10 non-epileptic patients. Red cell folate levels less than 100 ng/ml. were found in two controls, nine outpatient epileptics, 23 inpatient epileptics, and seven non-epileptic patients. A significant correlation was found between serum and red cell folate values in control, epileptic, and non-epileptic patients. In the epileptic patients there was a significant association between low serum and red cell folate levels and the presence of psychiatric illness. The origin and possible significance of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

[Functional, morphological and biochemical study of the jejunal mucosa in cryptogenetic colitis].

The function of the jejunum has been assessed in patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 23) and Crohn's disease of the colon (n = 20) by measurement of serum folate levels, oral folic acid and D-xylose absorption. Forty-six normal subjects served as controls. The mean serum folate level was 4.5 +/- 2.0 ng/ml in patients with the disease and 7.8 +/- 1.7 ng/ml in controls (p less than 0.001) and was similarly decreased in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients. It was lower in patients under sulphasalazine therapy (n = 15) than in those untreated: 3.5 +/- 1.5 vs. 4.8 +/- 2.1 ng/ml (p less than 0.05). Serum folate correlated with disease activity in the latter only. The peak serum folate obtained during the oral absorption test was decreased in patients: 38.9 +/- 12.9 vs. 60.8 +/- 19.3 ng/ml in controls (p less than 0.001); this decrease was similar in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, in treated and untreated patients and was independent of disease activity. Basal serum folate did not correlate with peak serum folate in any patient group. D-xylose absorption was normal in every case. Jejunal biopsies were performed in 23 patients, 13 of whom had folic acid malabsorption (13 with ulcerative colitis, 10 with Crohn's disease of the colon). The crypt height/villus height ratio was abnormal (greater than 0.6) in only 2 patients and borderline in 9 others. The fragility of enterocyte brush-borders and lysosomes, as assessed by biochemical methods, was normal in all cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Colitis, Ulcerative↗

PubMed1975

Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients.

We measured the levels of serum folate and vitamin B12 in newly discovered hypothyroid (n =56) and hyperthyroid (n =47) patients and in age- and sex-matched control subjects (n =103). Except for one patient with latent pernicious anemia, serum folate and vitamin B12 levels did not differ greatly in our patients and in our control subjects. Another patient was receiving monthly injections of cyanocobalamin for previously diagnosed pernicious anemia. We conclude that abnormalities of thyroid function per se did not alter serum folate or vitamin B12 levels in our patients.

Adult↗