Serum Folate, MTHFR C677T Polymorphism and Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk

This study examined associations between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and serum folate concentrations with the risk of esophageal precancerous lesions （EPL） and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）. The highest quartile of serum folate concentration significantly decreased the risk of ESCC compared with the lowest quartile （0R=0.11; 95% CI, 0.04-0.33; P〈0.05）. MTHFR 677 C〉T polymorphism was associated with the risk of ESCC by using chi-square tests （P〈0.05）. For the CT genotype, the risk of ESCC significantly increased in study participants with low serum folate concentrations （〈26.92μg/L） compared with participants with high serum folate concentrations （〉26.92 μg/L） by using multinomial logistic regression models. The MTHFR genotype may further modify associations between serum folate concentrations and the risk of ESCC, but it was not significantly associated with the risk of EPL.

Serum folate status among blood donors in south-central China

Folate deficiency has been confirmed to be related to various diseases.Unfortunately,there are few reports on the folate status of Chinese adults.This study aims to evaluate the serum folate status of blood donors in south-central China.In this study,248 blood donors were included.The information on subjects was collected by a brief questionnaire concerning alcohol consumption habits,smoking habits,fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity.The serum folate concentration was measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.The geometric mean serum folate concentration was 13.4 nmoll-1(95%CI,12.7-14.1).The prevalence of serum folate concentrations below 6.8 nmoll-1 was 5.2%(95%CI,2.5-8.0).There were significant differences in serum folate concentrations with respect to sex(p-values<0.05),age(p-values<0.05),fruit and vegetable consumption(p-values<0.05),and alcohol consumption habits(p-values<0.05).The concentration of serum folate increased with age(p-values<0.05)and fruit and vegetable consumption(p-values<0.05).Individuals with an age of 30 years or younger were nearly 3.5 times as likely as those aged over 30 years to have an insufficient level of serum folate(OR=3.48;95%CI:1.01-11.99).An age of 30 years or younger was a risk factor for folate deficiency.Most blood donors had sufficient serum folate concentrations in south-central China.National surveys of folate status should be implemented in China.

Association between folate intake, serum folate levels and the risk of lung cancer： a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Folate plays a critical role in nucleotide synthesis and DNA methylation, and was considered to be associated with anti-carcinogenesis. Results from 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. Methods Systematic 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. Results A 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）. Conclusion Higher 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.