Folate Supplementation and DNA Stability
Author Information
Author(s): Basten G P, Duthie S J, Pirie L, Vaughan N, Hill M H, Powers H J
Primary Institution: The University of Sheffield
Hypothesis
Does folate supplementation improve markers of DNA stability in healthy volunteers?
Conclusion
Folate supplementation significantly reduced uracil misincorporation in lymphocyte DNA but did not affect DNA strand breakage or global DNA methylation.
Supporting Evidence
- Folate supplementation significantly increased plasma 5-MeTHF and red cell folate.
- Uracil misincorporation was more sensitive to changes in folate status than other measures of DNA stability.
- Folate supplementation did not alter DNA strand breakage or global DNA methylation.
Takeaway
Taking folic acid can help reduce a specific type of DNA damage in healthy people, but it doesn't change other DNA stability measures.
Methodology
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with healthy volunteers receiving either folic acid or placebo for 12 weeks.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from self-reported smoking status and small numbers of specific genotypes.
Limitations
The study was not powered to identify differences based on MTHFR genotype due to small sample sizes.
Participant Demographics
61 healthy volunteers, aged 20-60, with a mix of men and women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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