| APPROACH:
Objective 1: Genomic DNA samples that were previously obtained from a group of 400 healthy young women (20-30 y) will be screened for the C677T MTHFR, A1298C MTHFR and A66G MTRR polymorphisms. The relationship between vitamin B12 status and functional and static indicators of folate status will be determined (i.e., plasma Hcy, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)/S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), global DNA methylation, and serum and red blood cell folate concentrations). A randomized, placebo-controlled study also will be conducted to determine the effect of daily vitamin B12 supplementation (1 mg/d for 3 months) on plasma Hcy and indicators of folate/vitamin B12 status in subjects with low normal vitamin B12 status who are homozygous or wild for the A66G MTRR polymorphism and homozygous or heterozygous for the C677T MTHFR polymorphism. Functional and static indicators of folate and vitamin B12 status will be measured at baseline and weekly/monthly intervals as appropriate.
Objective 2: The relationship between the C677T MTHFR polymorphism, folate status indicators (i.e., serum and red blood cell folate; plasma Hcy) and markers of DNA stability (i.e., DNA methylation and DNA uracil misincorporation) will be examined in response to a 14 wk folate depletion/repletion protocol (118 mcg/d; 400 mcg/d) conducted with healthy young women between the ages of 20-30 y who are wild or homozygous for the C677T MTHFR polymorphism. This project will be completed using samples obtained at baseline, post-depletion (7 wk) and post-repletion (7 wk). Objective 3: Folate status of Chilean women of reproductive age will be evaluated pre- and post- folic acid fortification. Nutrition interviews will be conducted pre- and post- fortification, to determine the level of consumption of foods targeted for folic acid fortification. The actual folate content of foods selected for the fortification program will be determined from samples collected during the pre- and
post-fortification periods. Folate intake pre- and post-fortification will be compared in relation to folate and vitamin B12 status. Objective 4: Research-based educational programs and materials will be designed to inform target audiences (e.g., adolescents, adults, elderly, health practitioners) about the health benefits of folate and related nutrients and to improve the target audiences' attitudes and behaviors with regard to consumption of these nutrients.
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CRIS NUMBER: 0195296
SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJECT NUMBER: FLA-FOS-04098
SPONSOR AGENCY: NIFA
PROJECT TYPE: HATCH
PROJECT STATUS: TERMINATED
MULTI-STATE PROJECT NUMBER: (N/A)
START DATE: Apr 1, 2003
TERMINATION DATE: Sep 30, 2008
GRANT PROGRAM: (N/A)
GRANT PROGRAM AREA: (N/A)
CLASSIFICATION
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| 702 | 6010 | 1010 | 5.1 | 80% |
| 703 | 6010 | 3020 | 5.2 | 20% |
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CLASSIFICATION HEADINGS
KA702 - Requirements and Function of Nutrients and Other Food Components
KA703 - Nutrition Education and Behavior
S6010 - Individuals
F3020 - Education
F1010 - Nutrition and metabolism
G5.1 - Ensure Access to Nutritious Food
G5.2 - Promote Healthier Eating Habits and Lifestyles
RESEARCH EFFORT CATEGORIES
| BASIC |
(N/A)% |
| APPLIED |
100% |
| DEVELOPMENTAL |
(N/A)% |
KEYWORDS: folic acid; vitamin b12; polymorphism; genetics; neural tube defects; homocysteine; life span; folates; nervous system; birth defects; cardiovascular diseases; dna; methylation; methionine; synthetases; reductases; human nutrition; human health; nutrient requirements; nutrient disease relations; nutrient intake; carbon metabolism; nutrient status; chronic diseases; risk; cancer; cognition
PROGRESS: Oct 1, 2006 TO Sep 30, 2007
OUTPUTS: Folate intake and status were determined for non-supplement consuming healthy young men (n=140) and women (n=162) (ages 18-49 y). Folate/folic acid intake was estimated using a food frequency instrument (DHQ), and the relative contribution of different food categories to folate/folic acid intake was determined. The relationship between folate status and the MTHFR 677C>T genotype also was examined. This project formed the basis of a graduate student's thesis research. An abstract has been submitted for presentation at a national meeting, and a manuscript is in the initial stages of development. Continuing our work from last year in which we investigated vitamin B12 intake and status of healthy adults, we finalized a manuscript that had been submitted for publication. We also prepared a new manuscript in which we estimated differences in dietary vitamin B12 intake among individuals with varying dietary practices based on frequency of beef intake and estimated the daily
contribution of total dietary vitamin B12 intake of different types of foods relative to beef. As part of our ongoing efforts to educate the public about the health benefits of folic acid, we conducted a literature review focusing on occupational health and worksite health promotion programs to learn more about the unique aspects of conducting onsite employee health and wellness programs. Site visits of 4 businesses were conducted to learn more about how health messages are delivered in the workplace and to evaluate the potential opportunities and barriers related to worksite health promotion programs. Occupational/employee wellness staff were interviewed to obtain their perspectives and ideas for viable approaches to worksite health promotion and to assess the perceived usefulness of our ideas. Examples of health education materials currently used in worksite health promotion programs also were obtained and reviewed. Subsequently, a worksite health promotion toolkit focusing on the
health benefits of folic acid, particularly with regard to folic acid's role in neural tube defect (NTD) risk reduction, was developed and pilot-tested at a Florida-based business. Pre- and post-intervention surveys from employees, as well as feedback from the employee health/wellness staff were used to modify the toolkit. Four businesses are being recruited as test sites for 2008, after which the toolkit will be finalized and 50 copies of the kit will be distributed to businesses who participated in the pilot tests, and the State Association of Occupational Health Nurses, the March of Dimes, and other Florida Folic Acid Coalition (FFAC)partners. The FFAC web site was updated (http://www.folicacidnow.net/indexflash.html), and activities of the coalition, which include collaborations with public and private agencies and businesses from and around Florida, including the March of Dimes Florida Chapters, USF Birth Defects Center and the Florida Department of Health, were continued. Two
newsletters were published online and distributed in hard copy at 3 different conferences for health professionals and to other FFAC partners. The online newsletters are available to anyone who accesses the web site.
PARTICIPANTS: As part of her thesis research project, Melanie Grabianowski (graduate student) examined folate intake and status of non-supplement consuming healthy young men and women. She also examined the relationship between folate status and the MTHFR 677 C>T genotype.
IMPACT: 2006-10-01 TO 2007-09-30
Understanding the relationships among folate and vitamin B12 status/intake, common genetic variations, and altered metabolic function will help to better define optimal nutrient requirements for specific populations and identify those populations at greatest risk and for whom targeted intervention strategies would be most important. For example, our examination of the folate intake and status of non-supplement consuming young men and women revealed that dietary folic acid from enriched cereal-grain products and fortified ready-to-eat cereals positively affected total folate intake and status of males and females; however, folic acid intake of females was less than the level recommended for NTD risk reduction. An effective intervention strategy for increasing folic acid intake of non-supplement consuming females of reproductive potential may be to emphasize daily consumption of fortified ready-to-eat cereals as part of promotional campaigns and educational programs. Our
research program has the potential to reduce health care costs, morbidity, and premature death when applied to the public health arena. The long term economic impact of this research could be significant in a state like Florida where vascular disease, cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer's are leading causes of death. The results of our worksite health promotion program pilot test revealed a change in knowledge and actions with regard to folic acid. Specifically, there were significant increases in folic acid knowledge and behavior (i.e., taking a multivitamin) following the program intervention. Our Florida Folic Acid Coalition educational booth was displayed at the Governor's Conference on Women's Health (May 15-16, 2007) where 310 health care providers, administrators, policy makers and women's health advocates were in attendance. We also had an exhibit at the Florida State Association of Occupational Health Nurses (FSAOHN) conference (Oct 26-28, 2006) where 88 health professionals were
in attendance. These events increased awareness of the benefits of folic acid to health, particularly with regard to NTD risk reduction. Attendance at these meetings was instrumental in developing key contacts, and in the case of the FSAOHN conference, directly resulted in our successful pilot testing partnership with a Florida-based business. The number of visits to the Florida Folic Acid Coalition web site typically runs between 3,000 to 5,000 per month. The information provided on this site has the potential to contribute to a change in knowledge, and possibly behaviors, among viewers. The number of visits to the Florida Folic Acid Coalition web site typically runs between 3,000 to 5,000 per month. Likewise, the newsletters, which are available online but also were distributed to health professionals and other key stakeholders, have the potential to change knowledge, and possibly behaviors among readers. The information provided on this site has the potential to contribute to a
change in knowledge, and possibly behaviors, among viewers.
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 2006-10-01 TO 2007-09-30
von Castel Roberts KM, Morkbak AL, Nexo E, Edgemon CA, Maneval DR, Shuster JJ, Kauwell GPA, Bailey LB. (2007) Holo-transcobalamin is an indicator of vitamin B12 absorption. Am J Clin Nutr. 85:1057-1061.
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
| NAME: |
Kauwell, G. P. |
| PHONE: |
352-392-1991 |
| FAX: |
352-392-9467 |
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