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Folic Acid Supplements (folic + acid_supplement)
Terms modified by Folic Acid Supplements Selected AbstractsPeri-conceptual folic acid supplementation in type 1 diabetesPRACTICAL DIABETES INTERNATIONAL (INCORPORATING CARDIABETES), Issue 4 2001C.J. Wills Specialist Registrar in Diabetes, Endocrinology Abstract Aim To document peri-conceptual folic acid supplementation in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) attending the diabetic ante-natal clinic of a university teaching hospital. Methods Women with pre-existing type 1 DM who booked at the diabetes antenatal clinic at University Hospital, Nottingham over 3 years (1996,98) took part in a telephone survey about folic acid supplements. Results Data was available on 50 women, 65 pregnancies. Folic acid supplements were used before 50.7% (33) pregnancies, all planned, and started on confirmation of pregnancy in 34% (22), at a mean gestation of 5.8 weeks. No folic acid was used before or during 10 (15.4%) pregnancies. 75.4% (49) pregnancies were planned. 24 planned pregnancies were in women who had never had pre-pregnancy counselling. 70.8%(17) of these were in multiparous women, and folic acid was taken before 41.1% (seven) of such pregnancies. Lack of awareness was the predominant reason for failure to take folic acid supplements in all groups. Conclusions Folic acid was taken before conception in only half of the pregnancies in the survey, due to lack of awareness of its importance. Three-quarters of pregnancies were planned but a disappointing number of women had pre-pregnancy counselling, probably due to poor advertising and the assumption that women who had been pregnant before did not need such a session. Women with DM should be informed about folic acid and offered pre-pregnancy counselling. It should not be assumed that women who have had a pregnancy know about folic acid. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Points Folic acid supplementation prior to conception and in the first trimester helps to prevent neural tube defects. Almost half of the women in this survey failed to take folic acid prior to conception. Women who did not take folic acid were unaware of its importance. We need to ensure that women with diabetes understand the importance of folic acid. [source] Chemopreventive effects of rofecoxib and folic acid on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N,-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in ratsJOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 3 2006Su Juan FEI OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological and experimental studies indicate that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are chemopreventive agents of gastrointestinal cancers, but few studies on gastric cancer have been carried out. A decrease in folic acid supplement and subsequent DNA hypomethylation are related to gastrointestinal cancers, and it has been shown that high-dose folic acid may interfere with gastric carcinogenesis in dogs. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of rofecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, and folic acid on the chemoprevention of gastric cancer induced by N-methyl-N,-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in Wistar rats, and to evaluate the cell proliferation of gastric mucosa in different experimental groups. METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (16 rats in each group). In the control group, the rats were given pure water and basal diet. In the MNNG group, the rats received MNNG in drinking water (100 mg/L) and basal diet. In the MNNG + low-dose rofecoxib group, the rats were given MNNG and rofecoxib 5 mg/kg per day with basal diet. In the MNNG + high-dose rofecoxib group, the rats were given MNNG and rofecoxib 15 mg/kg per day with basal diet. In the MNNG + folic acid group, the rats were given MNNG and folic acid 5 mg/kg per day with basal diet. The experiment was terminated at 50 weeks, and all rats were killed. Blood samples of 3 mL were obtained for measurement of serum folic acid concentrations in the control group, the MNNG group and the MNNG + folic acid group by using chemiluminescent method. The stomach was removed from all rats for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical study. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in gastric epithelial cells was also determined. RESULTS: In the MNNG group, five of 11 rats (45.5%) developed gastric cancer, while in all other four groups no gastric cancer was found (P < 0.05). The positivity rate of PCNA expression in the cancerous tissues was significantly higher than that in the non-cancerous tissues (80.0%vs 14.1%, P < 0.05). The positivity rate of PCNA expression in the gastric mucosal cells of the MNNG group was significantly higher than that in the other four groups. The mean serum folic acid concentration of rats was significantly higher in the MNNG + folic acid group (193.70 ± 60.73 ng/mL) than those in the control group (84.21 ± 25.26 ng/mL) and the MNNG group (72.27 ± 16.70 ng/mL, P < 0.05). It was shown that both low- and high-dose rofecoxib as well as folic acid interfered with the development of gastric cancer induced by MNNG in Wistar rats. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that rofecoxib as well as folic acid interferes with gastric carcinogenesis induced by MNNG in Wistar rats, and the suppression of gastric cell proliferation may play a crucial role in the chemoprevention of gastric cancer by rofecoxib and folic acid. The higher serum folic acid concentration of rats may play an important role in the prevention of gastric cancer. [source] Folic acid supplementation on red kidney bean-induced diarrhoea and enteric bacterial translocation into mesenteric lymph nodes in rats: a pilot studyACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 1 2002R Shoda Deaths following childhood diarrhoea, a major health problem in developing countries, are often associated with malnutrition and septicaemic complications. Folic acid has been used in the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhoea in the tropics. Using a rat model, we evaluated the protective effect of large doses of folic acid on diarrhoea, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and translocation of enteric bacteria into mesenteric lymph nodes induced by a raw red kidney bean-based diet containing lectin (phytohemagglutinin). Long-Evans rats in 2 groups of 5 each (60 g to 70 g in weight, 28 d old) were used. All 10 rats, individually kept in metabolic cages, received a raw red kidney bean-based diet for 10 d, and 5 of them also received a daily folic acid supplement (160 ,g/g feed) both during and for 10 d before the experiment. The faecal weight was measured and a quantitative aerobic bacterial culture of the small intestinal mucosal scrapings and of the mesenteric lymph nodes was made. Folic acid supplementation did not reduce faecal output nor did it prevent loss of body weight associated with lectin-induced diarrhoea. However, the mean total count of enteric bacteria translocated to the mesenteric lymph nodes was significantly reduced in the supplemented rats (1.27 ± 0.61 vs 2.66 ± 0.84, p= 0.028) and a trend towards reduced bacterial count in the small intestinal mucosal scrapings (0.40 ± 0.89 vs 1.42 ± 1.31, p= 0.16) was documented. A significant positive correlation was also seen between the bacterial count in the jejunal mucosal scrapings and in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Conclusion: Although large-dose folic acid supplementation did not prevent diarrhoea and malnutrition induced by a lectin-based diet, it substantially reduced the count of enteric bacteria translocated into the mesenteric lymph nodes and showed a trend towards a reduction in indigenous bacteria adhering to jejunal mucosa. These findings could be of relevance in the prevention of septicaemic complications following many clinical conditions, including diarrhoea with malnutrition in children known to have bacteraemic and septicaemic complications. [source] Maternal use of folic acid supplements during pregnancy and four-year-old neurodevelopment in a population-based birth cohortPAEDIATRIC & PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Jordi Julvez Summary The use of folic acid supplements during very early pregnancy is recommended in order to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. Little is known about the possible benefits of folic acid on child neurodevelopment. A total of 420 children (87% of those eligible) from a birth cohort had complete data for final analyses at age 4 years. Information about folic acid and other over-the-counter dietary supplements was obtained prospectively using interviewer-administered questionnaires at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. Psychological outcomes were assessed by two psychologists and teachers 4 years later. Low maternal socio-economic status, smoking, high parity and short duration of breast feeding were associated with lower prevalence of folic acid supplement use. Verbal (b = 3.98, SE = 1.69), motor (b = 4.54, SE = 1.66) and verbal-executive function (b = 3.97, SE = 1.68) scores, social competence (b = 3.97, SE = 1.61) and inattention symptom [OR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.22, 0.95] scores were associated with reported folic acid use. Reported folic acid supplement use during pregnancy was associated with improved neurodevelopment in children after adjusting for a number of sociodemographic and behavioural factors. [source] Peri-conceptual folic acid supplementation in type 1 diabetesPRACTICAL DIABETES INTERNATIONAL (INCORPORATING CARDIABETES), Issue 4 2001C.J. Wills Specialist Registrar in Diabetes, Endocrinology Abstract Aim To document peri-conceptual folic acid supplementation in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) attending the diabetic ante-natal clinic of a university teaching hospital. Methods Women with pre-existing type 1 DM who booked at the diabetes antenatal clinic at University Hospital, Nottingham over 3 years (1996,98) took part in a telephone survey about folic acid supplements. Results Data was available on 50 women, 65 pregnancies. Folic acid supplements were used before 50.7% (33) pregnancies, all planned, and started on confirmation of pregnancy in 34% (22), at a mean gestation of 5.8 weeks. No folic acid was used before or during 10 (15.4%) pregnancies. 75.4% (49) pregnancies were planned. 24 planned pregnancies were in women who had never had pre-pregnancy counselling. 70.8%(17) of these were in multiparous women, and folic acid was taken before 41.1% (seven) of such pregnancies. Lack of awareness was the predominant reason for failure to take folic acid supplements in all groups. Conclusions Folic acid was taken before conception in only half of the pregnancies in the survey, due to lack of awareness of its importance. Three-quarters of pregnancies were planned but a disappointing number of women had pre-pregnancy counselling, probably due to poor advertising and the assumption that women who had been pregnant before did not need such a session. Women with DM should be informed about folic acid and offered pre-pregnancy counselling. It should not be assumed that women who have had a pregnancy know about folic acid. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Points Folic acid supplementation prior to conception and in the first trimester helps to prevent neural tube defects. Almost half of the women in this survey failed to take folic acid prior to conception. Women who did not take folic acid were unaware of its importance. We need to ensure that women with diabetes understand the importance of folic acid. [source] Methotrexate catabolism to 7-hydroxymethotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis alters drug efficacy and retention and is reduced by folic acid supplementationARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 8 2009Joseph E. Baggott Objective To assess the catabolism of methotrexate (MTX) to 7-hydroxy-MTX (7-OH-MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as well as the effect of folic acid and folinic acid on this catabolism. Methods Urinary excretion of MTX and its catabolite, 7-OH-MTX, was measured in 2 24-hour urine specimens collected after MTX therapy. Urine samples were collected from patients after the sixth and seventh weekly doses of MTX. MTX and 7-OH-MTX concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Swelling and pain/tenderness indices were used to measure symptoms before and at 6 and 7 weeks of therapy. Patients received either folic acid or folinic acid supplements (1 mg/day) from week 6 to week 7. Results Folic acid inhibited aldehyde oxidase (AO), the enzyme that produces 7-OH-MTX, but folinic acid did not. Excretion of 7-OH-MTX (determined as a percentage of the dose of MTX or as mg 7-OH-MTX/gm creatinine) was not normally distributed (n = 39). Patients with marked improvement in swelling and pain/tenderness indices had a lower mean 7-OH-MTX excretion level (P < 0.05). Patients who received folic acid supplements had decreased 7-OH-MTX excretion (P = 0.03). Relatively high 7-OH-MTX excretion was correlated with relatively high MTX excretion and with relatively low MTX retention in vivo (P < 0.05) (n = 35). Conclusion Our findings of a non-normal distribution of 7-OH-MTX excretion suggest that there are at least 2 phenotypes for this catabolism. Decreased 7-OH-MTX formation suggests folic acid inhibition of AO and a better clinical response, while increased 7-OH-MTX formation may interfere with MTX polyglutamylation and binding to enzymes and, therefore, may increase MTX excretion and decrease MTX retention and efficacy in vivo. [source] Folate intake and the primary prevention of non-neural birth defectsAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 3 2006Carol Bower Objectives: To investigate whether maternal periconceptional folate intake is associated with a reduction in selected non-neural birth defects in Western Australia (WA). Methods: Case-control study of folate intake in women whose infants had orofacial clefts (62); congenital heart defects (151); urinary tract defects (117); limb reduction defects (26); or other major birth defects (119); and 578 control women. Results: Neither folic acid supplements nor dietary folate intake in women not using supplements was significantly associated with a reduction in risk in any of the case groups. In contrast to neural tube defects, WA population data for orofacial clefts, heart defects, limb reduction defects and urinary tract defects showed no fall in prevalence since the introduction of folate promotion and voluntary food fortification. Conclusions: This study provides no evidence of folate being an important factor in the prevention of birth defects other than neural tube defects. [source] Tracking the prevention of folic acid,preventable spina bifida and anencephalyBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 9 2006Karen N. Bell BACKGROUND: The fortification of wheat flour with folic acid prevents most cases of spina bifida and anencephaly by raising serum folate levels among women capable of bearing children, as does encouraging women to consume folic acid supplements prior to pregnancy. Unfortunately, surveillance is conducted in few countries where the need is greatest. METHODS: A method for assessing the prevention of these birth defects is presented that combines fortification program information with country case prevalence estimates. RESULTS: This approach suggests that about 70% of all cases could be prevented within a year of implementation of fortification programs, were it not for the inertia of regulatory agencies. CONCLUSIONS: Professional researchers and clinicians can help combat this situation by becoming advocates for child health in their respective countries. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 76:654,657, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Folate concentrations and folic acid supplementation among women in their first trimester of pregnancy in a rural area with a high prevalence of neural tube defects in Shanxi, ChinaBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 6 2006Le Zhang Abstract BACKGROUND: Although an information campaign concerning periconceptional folic acid supplementation was launched in 1998 in Shanxi Province, China, the prevalence of neural tube defects in rural areas was reported as high as 140 per 10,000 births in 2002. The blood folate concentrations and the practice of folic acid supplementation among pregnant women in rural areas of the province are described. METHODS: A total of 483 pregnant women (mean gestation, 8.1 weeks) in a rural area of Shanxi were interviewed. Nonfasting blood samples and information on folic acid supplementation were collected. Folate concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were determined by a microbiological assay. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of plasma and erythrocyte folate for pregnant women was 10.4 nmol/liter and 375.8 nmol/liter, respectively. Deficiencies of plasma and erythrocyte folate were observed in 20.9% and 47.6% of women, respectively. Seasonal variations were noted in the prevalence of folate deficiency, with significantly lower plasma folate concentrations in spring and summer and lower erythrocyte folate concentrations in seasons other than summer. Among pregnant women, <10% reported having taken or currently taking folic acid, and virtually no women (0.6%) took folic acid as recommended. CONCLUSIONS: Women in rural areas had low plasma and erythrocyte folate levels, and folate deficiency was highly prevalent in the area. Few women followed the recommendations regarding folic acid supplementation, and the information campaign in Shanxi was unsuccessful. These findings suggest the urgent need for combined strategies in rural areas to fortify grain with folic acid and promote folic acid supplements for childbearing-age women. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 76:461,466, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Extremely high prevalence of neural tube defects in a 4-county area in Shanxi Province, ChinaBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 4 2006Zhiwen Li Abstract BACKGROUND In the past, northern China's Shanxi Province has reported the highest incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in the world. However, little is known about the epidemiology of NTDs in this area in recent years. METHODS Data were collected from a population-based birth defects surveillance system in 4 counties that captures information on all live births, stillbirths of at least 20 weeks' gestation, and pregnancy terminations at any gestational age resulting from prenatal diagnosis of a birth defect. We also surveyed mothers of NTD case patients to determine their use of folic acid before and during early pregnancy. RESULTS During 2003, 160 NTD cases were identified among 11,534 births (NTD birth prevalence = 138.7/10,000 births). The rates of anencephaly, spina bifida and encephalocele were 65.9, 58.1, and 14.7 per 10,000, respectively, and a female predominance was observed among anencephaly cases (male-to-female relative risk [RR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30,0.79), but not among spina bifida (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.55,1.45) and encephalocele (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.40,2.69) cases. The percentages of pregnancy termination following prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele were 50%, 41.8%, and 35.3%, respectively. NTD birth prevalence tended to be higher among mothers aged <20 or ,30 years (P = .06) and was markedly associated with lower levels of maternal education (P < .001). Among 143 NTD mothers, only 6 (4.2%) used folic acid supplements during the periconceptional period. CONCLUSIONS The NTD birth prevalence rate in the study area is among the highest worldwide. Folic acid deficiency may be one important risk factor. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Case for mandatory fortification of food with folate in Australia, for the prevention of neural tube defectsBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 11 2004Carol Bower BACKGROUND Since the publication of randomized controlled trials demonstrating the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) with periconceptional folate, several Australian states have promoted an increase in periconceptional use of folic acid supplements. Since 1996, voluntary fortification of food with folate has been allowed in Australia and New Zealand for the purpose of preventing NTDs. METHODS For this report, we synthesized published and unpublished data on folic acid supplement use, voluntary fortification, and trends in NTDs. RESULTS There has been an increase in the proportion of women (up to 30,40%) taking periconceptional folic acid supplements in Australia, and many foods (mainly breakfast cereals) are fortified. Supplement use is strongly correlated with educational and socioeconomic status; consumption of voluntarily fortified foods is not. There has been a fall in NTDs of about 30% in the non-Aboriginal population, but no change has been seen in the Aboriginal population. CONCLUSIONS These data support mandatory fortification of food as a more equitable approach to achieving sufficient folate intake in the periconceptional period for all women in Australia and New Zealand to prevent the majority of NTDs in their offspring. In May 2004, based on these and other considerations, the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council agreed that mandatory fortification of food with folate should be considered as a priority. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The effect of fever, febrile illnesses, and heat exposures on the risk of neural tube defects in a Texas-Mexico border populationBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 10 2004Lucina Suarez Abstract BACKGROUND Hyperthermia produces neural tube defects (NTDs) in a variety of animal species. Elevated maternal body temperatures may also place the developing human embryo at risk. We examined the relation between maternal hyperthermia and the development of NTDs in a high-risk Mexican-American population. METHODS Case-women were Mexican-American women with NTD-affected pregnancies who resided and delivered in any of the 14 Texas counties bordering Mexico, during 1995,2000. Control-women were randomly selected from study area residents delivering normal live births, frequency-matched to cases by hospital and year. Information on maternal fevers, febrile illnesses, exposures to heat generated from external sources, and hyperthermia-inducing activities was gathered through in-person interviews, conducted about six weeks postpartum. RESULTS The risk effect (OR) associated with maternal fever in the first trimester, compared to no fever, was 2.9 (95% CI, 1.5,5.7). Women taking fever-reducing medications showed a lower risk effect (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.0,5.6) than those who did not (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4,10.9). First-trimester maternal exposures to heat devices such as hot tubs, saunas, or electric blankets were associated with an OR of 3.6 (95% CI, 1.1,15.9). Small insignificant effects were observed for activities such as cooking in a hot kitchen (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0,2.6) and working or exercising in the sun (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9,2.2). CONCLUSIONS Maternal hyperthermia increases the risk for NTD-affected offspring. Women intending to become pregnant should avoid intense heat exposures, carefully monitor and manage their febrile illnesses, and routinely consume folic acid supplements. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Method of weighted proportion of reproductive-aged women taking folic acid supplements to predict a neural tube defect rate decline,BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 12 2003Quanhe Yang Abstract BACKGROUND Neural tube defect (NTD) rates can be lowered by increased consumption of folic acid (FA) by women before and during early pregnancy. The crude proportion of reproductive-aged women taking FA supplements has been used to predict a decline of the NTD rate in the general population. In this study we examine the potential error in using the crude proportion to predict NTD risk reduction, and offer an alternative method. METHODS The crude proportion measures the number of women taking FA. It ignores the substantial variability by maternal age in the probability of giving birth. Age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs) reflect the probability that a woman in a specific age group will give birth in a given year. In this study, we show how to calculate a proportion weighted by ASFRs to predict a decline in the NTD rate, and to assess the effectiveness of FA consumption in preventing NTDs. RESULTS Our results show that a crude proportion of 50% of women (15,49 years old) taking FA is associated with a range of 24,77% in weighted proportions. Assuming a 40% risk reduction from taking 400 ,g of FA daily, the expected NTD rate decline could vary from 9.6% to 30.6%, depending on the age distribution of women taking FA. CONCLUSIONS The ASFR-weighted proportion estimates the proportion of babies born to women taking FA, as opposed to the crude proportion of women taking FA. We recommend using the ASFR-weighted proportion to predict an NTD rate decline and measure the success of FA education campaigns. We found that when women in high-fertility age groups increased their FA consumption, the decline in the NTD rate was greater than when women in low-fertility age groups did so. Our findings suggest that the more efficient approach to NTD prevention is to focus on women with a higher probability of giving birth. For example, by focusing on <50% of women of childbearing age (20,34 years), as much as 76% of the maximum NTD rate reduction can be achieved. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2003. Published 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||