OBJECTIVETo observe the correlation between the decline of cognitive function and the level of plasma homocysteine in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSThirty six AD patients were selected from hospitals in Tianjin. The enrolled patients were in accord with the diagnosis criteria. Thirty two control subjects were corresponding patients without AD in the period. Blood samples were extracted from each subject to determine the levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and folate. Cognitive status was evaluated by the mini- mental state examination (MMSE) and clinical dementia rating scale (CDR).

RESULTSThe mean value of serum Hcy concentration [(17.51 +/- 5.62) micromol/L] of AD group was higher than that of control group [(12.38 +/- 4.25)micromol/L]. The serum [(5.17 +/- 1.76) microg/L] and diet folate [(206.94 +/- 44.51) microg/d] concentration of AD group were lower than those of control group [(7.92 +/- 2.22) microg/L, (259.74 +/- 41.92) microg/ d]. The incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia in AD group (64%) was higher than that in control group (22%). A significant relation between Hcy concentrations and the CDR was observed. With the increase of Hcy concentrations the CDR raised, and with the increase of Hcy concentrations the MMSE decreased.

CONCLUSIONHyperhomocysteinemia is one of the risk factors inducing the onset of AD. There is a significant negative correlation between Hcy levels and cognitive levels in AD group. Folate deficiency is an important reason to cause elevated Hcy levels in AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; blood ; etiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Folic Acid ; blood ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; blood ; complications

BACKGROUNDFolate plays a critical role in nucleotide synthesis and DNA methylation, and was considered to be associated with anti-carcinogenesis.

RESULTSfrom studies that concern the relationship between the folate intake or serum folate levels and lung cancer risk showed no consistency, which requires our further comprehensive meta-analysis.

METHODSSystematic literature search was conducted to identify the relevant studies (published prior to February 2013) according to standard protocol. Estimated effects were calculated under both random-effects and fixed-effects models. Heterogeneity between studies and publication bias were also evaluated.

RESULTSA total of 4390 cases and 6138 controls from 6 case-control studies revealed a significant overall inverse association between folate intake and lung cancer risk (OR = 0.74, 95%CI = 0.65 - 0.84, P < 0.001). Summary of 1438 cases and 2582 controls from 4 case-control studies and 44 cases out of a cohort of 1988 participants suggested a marginal association without significance (OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.60 - 1.02, P = 0.075) between high serum folate levels and less lung cancer susceptibility; however, subgroup analysis about population-based case-control studies showed that high serum folate levels significantly associated with the reduced lung cancer risk (OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.58 - 1.00, P = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONHigher folate intake can be a protective factor against lung cancer risk, and higher serum folate level is probably associated with reduced lung cancer risk in marginal manner, though more studies are warranted to confirm these associations.

Folic Acid ; administration & dosage ; blood ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the possible effects of folate on cervical carcinogenesis and the interaction of folate and human papillomaviruses 16 (HPV16).

METHODSA hospital-based case-control study was conducted. 111 hospitalized cases who were pathologically diagnosed of having cervical cancer and 111 controls identified with hysteromyoma that frequency-matched to cases on age, birth place and residential area. A 60-item food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were administered to estimate the consumption of dietary folate. HPV16 DNA in exfoliated cervical cell and serum folate were detected by special PCR and radioimmunoassay respectively.

RESULTSHPV16 infection rate in cases (61.26%) was significantly higher than that in controls (28.83%), with adjusted OR of 4.95(95% CI:2.49-9.83).The levels of dietary folate in cases (5.00 microg/kcal +/- 0.41 microg/kcal) were significantly lower than that in controls (5.14 microg/kcal +/- 0.35 microg/kcal), but the adjusted OR showing no statistical significance. However, serum folate in cases (1.79 ng/ml +/- 1.42 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that in controls(2.59 ng/ml +/- 2.81 ng/ml),and there were significantly increasing trend in the risk of cervical cancer with reducing level of serum folate (chi-squared trend test of P = 0.000). Meanwhile, low-level of serum folate and HPV16-infection showed significant interaction in the development of cervical cancer, with likelihood ratio test of G = 5.56, P = 0.02.

CONCLUSIONResults indicated that low levels of folate might increase the risk of cervical cancer, and potential synergistic action might exist between low level of serum folate and HPV16 in the development of cervical cancer.

Case-Control Studies ; Diet ; Female ; Folic Acid ; blood ; Folic Acid Deficiency ; complications ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Papillomavirus Infections ; complications ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; blood ; etiology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo describe the distribution of plasma folate concentrations and prevalence of folate deficiency in adults aged 35 to 64 years in some areas and different seasons in China.

METHODSStudy subjects were sampled from the representative rural and urban areas in the south and north of China aged 35 to 64 years totaling 2 545, and their plasma folate concentrations were determined and analyzed.

RESULTSPlasma concentrations of folate in the southern population were significantly higher (16.9 nmol/L) than those in the north (8.3 nmol/L), and the prevalence of folate deficiency in the south (5.8%) was significantly lower than that in the north (37.1%). Plasma folate concentration varied with season either in the south or north. Plasma concentrations of folate were lower during the summer and the fall (15.0 nmol/L) than those during the winter and the spring (18.8 nmol/L) in the south, but without significant changes in the prevalence of folate deficiency in different seasons. However, the plasma folate concentrations were significantly higher during the summer and the fall (9.7 nmol/L) than those during the winter and the spring (7.1 nmol/L) in the north. And the prevalence of folate deficiency in the north was significantly higher in winter and spring (48.0%) than that in summer and fall (26.2%).

CONCLUSIONSThere existed significant difference in plasma folate concentrations in adults between varied geographic areas in China, which differed from their seasonal changes.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Folic Acid ; blood ; Folic Acid Deficiency ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Seasons ; Urban Health ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo determine whether serum homocysteine and folate levels are correlated with the occurrence of neonatal asphyxia and to study the effects of gender and gestational age on serum homocysteine and folate levels.

METHODSThirty-five neonates with mild asphyxia (19 males and 16 females) and 40 normal neonates (control group,18 males and 22 females) were enrolled in this study. The asphyxia and the control groups consisted of 10 and 11 cases of preterm infants respectively. Serum homocysteine levels were measured using ELASA. Serum folate levels were measured using radioimmunity assay.

RESULTSSerum homocysteine level (14.66+/-2.61 micromol/L vs 7.55+/-0.50 mumol/L; P<0.05) was significantly higher and serum folate level (2.47+/-0.24 ng/mL vs 3.28+/-0.28 ng/mL; P<0.05) was significantly lower in the asphyxia group than that in the control group. There were no significant differences in serum levels of homocysteine and folate between males and females either in the asphyxia group or the control group. The asphyxiated neonates born at premature showed increased serum homocysteine level compared with the full-term neonates with asphyxia (21.25+/-5.01 micromol/L vs 12.34+/-2. 01 micromol/L; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe increased serum homocysteine level and decreased serum folate level are correlated with the occurrence of neonatal asphyxia. Serum homocysteine and folate levels are not associated with the gender. A more significantly increased serum homocysteine level may be found in asphyxiated neonates born at premature.

Asphyxia Neonatorum ; blood ; Female ; Folic Acid ; blood ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Sex Characteristics

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of breakfast service on nutritional status, hematological status, and attentiveness of children in low-income families. The subjects were 19 boys and 13 girls between 7 and 11 years old. The subjects were divided into a control group and a breakfast service (BS) group, in which 12 boys and 5 girls received breakfast from February 1 to December 31, 2010. The results can be summarized as follows: intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B2, niacin, and vitamin C in the BS group were significantly higher than those in the control group. In the BS group, the intakes of calcium, folic acid, and vitamin C were lower than 75% of recommended intake levels. There were no significant differences in the total blood protein level and total cholesterol level between the BS group and control group. A blood albumin level was significantly higher in the BS group than in the control group. Systolic blood pressure was higher in the BS group than in the control group, whereas the diastolic blood pressure showed no significant difference between the groups. A dietary attitude score increased according to breakfast service and nutritional education. No significant differences were found in the capacity value and continuity value between the two groups, but the control value was significantly higher in the BS group than in the control group. Therefore, to sustain the effect of breakfast service and improve nutritional status for children skipping breakfast in low-income families, nutrition intervention services, as well as legal and financial support by the government should be provided.
Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Pressure ; Breakfast ; Calcium ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Financial Support ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Iron ; Niacin ; Nutritional Status ; Riboflavin ; Vitamin A ; Zinc

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrients intake, Rohrer index, serum cholesterol level, blood pressure and others for clinical and nutritional study on school children in Taejon. This survey was carried out in October, 1995. The subjects were 362 children, 6 to 11 years old. The results were summarized as follows. By Rohrer index, 4.6% of the children was lean, 69.6% was normal, 17.4% was overweight and 8.6% was obese group. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and skin fold thickness of all subjects were 111.7+/-15.7mmHg, 69.8+/-14.9mmHg and 14.5+/-7.3mm respectively. Systolic blood pressure and skin fold thickness were increased with Rohrer index. Total cholesterol, urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in blood were 160.8+/-23.9mm/dl, 11.5+/-3.5mm/dl and 0.71+/-0.12mm/dl respectively but not significantly different among groups. These levels have a slight tendency to increase in obese group but not significantly different among groups. Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were 41.3+/-4.7%, 13.1+/-1.6g/dl. These levels of 11 years old girls were lower than same aged boys. Composition ratio of total energy intakes were 65% of CHO, 13% of protein and 22% of fat. Energy and most nutrients intakes were insufficient except for P and vitamin C. Especially the amount of vitamin A, Fe, Zn and folate intakes were lower than halves of RDA'S. Most nutrients intake were not significantly different among groups. Pearson' correlation in Rohrer index with nutrients intakes were all negative correlation significantly different of K, Na and Thiamin.
Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Pressure ; Child* ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Daejeon* ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Nitrogen ; Overweight ; Skin ; Urea ; Vitamin A

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an uncommon hematologic disease characterized by an abnormal sensitivity of blood cells to the lytic action of serum complement. We experienced one case of PNH in Yeungnam University Hospital from May 1983 to May 1989. The patients was followed up without severe complications of 4 years since diagnosis with the only conservative treatments such as washed blood transfusion, adrenal corticosteroids, androgens, folate and iron preparation, intermittently.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Androgens ; Blood Cells ; Blood Transfusion ; Complement System Proteins ; Diagnosis ; Folic Acid ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal* ; Humans ; Iron

Adult ; Anemia ; blood ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Folic Acid ; blood ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Rural Population ; Urban Population

OBJECTIVETo explore the interaction between folate deficiency and aberrant expression related to fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in the progression of cervical cancerization.

METHODSA total number of 80 patients with histological diagnosis of cervix inflammation (CI), 55 cervical intraepithelial neoplasm I (CIN I), 55 cervical intraepithelial neoplasm II/III (CIN II/III) and 64 cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were included in this study. Levels of serum folate were detected by microbiological assay method and the methylation status of FHIT gene CpG islands was tested by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). FHIT protein levels were measured by Western blot. In vitro, cervical cancer cell lines CaSki (HPV16-positive) was treated with different concentrations of folate. Proliferation and apoptosis of cells, methylation of FHIT gene and the levels of FHIT protein expression were measured in each group. All analyses were performed with SPSS (version 17.0) statistical software. Differences among groups were assessed by chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test. Spearman correlation, and the interaction effects were evaluated by additive model.

RESULTSThe levels of serum folate (H = 59.08, P < 0.001) and FHIT protein expression (H = 50.93, P < 0.001) decreased gradually along with the severity of cervix lesions, while the methylation rates of FHIT gene CpG islands increased (trend χ² = 28.34, P < 0.001). Both levels of serum folate levels and FHIT protein expression were positively correlated (r = 0.213, P = 0.001), with an additive interaction seen between them in CIN I, CIN II/III, SCC groups. In vitro, both rates related to proliferation inhibition (r = 0.98, P < 0.001) and apoptosis (r = 0.99, P < 0.001) together with the levels of FHIT protein expression (r = 0.97, P < 0.001) were all increased gradually with the increase of folate concentration while the methylation status of FHIT gene CpG islands all changed from positive to negative gradually.

CONCLUSIONResults from our study revealed that both folate deficiency and FHIT protein aberrant low expression might increase the risk of developing cervical cancer and cervix precancerous lesions, and thus play a synergistic action in the progression of cervical cancerization.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; pathology ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Folic Acid ; blood ; Folic Acid Deficiency ; epidemiology ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology