A Decreased Micronucleus Frequency in Human Lymphocytes after Folate and Vitamin B-12 Intervention: a Preliminary Study in a Yunnan Population

作者:Ni, Juan; Liang, Ziqing; Zhou, Tao; Cao, Neng; Xia, Xiaolin; Wang, Xu*
来源:International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research, 2012, 82(6): 374-382.
DOI:10.1024/0300-9831/a000134

摘要

Background: Micronucleus (MN) is a validated biomarker for DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and is a reflection of the changes of human nutritional status. Folate (FA) and vitamin B-12 are one-carbon metabolism-related micronutrients, which play important roles in maintaining genomic stability. Objective: To investigate the correcting effects of FA and B12 intervention on DNA damage in PBL. Method: One hundred fifty-six volunteers without history of cancer were divided into 5 age groups (20-69 y, 47.4% male) for establishing the baseline of chromosomal damage by means of cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Twelve individuals whose MN frequency was higher than the median value in each age group were selected for a four-month FA (200-400 mu g/day)-B-12 (3.125-25 mu g/day) intervention dosed as to age and MTHFR genotypes. Results: There were significantly positive correlations between age and MN frequency in all groups (p<0.01). Among all age groups, the baseline MN frequencies were higher in females than that in males. The MN frequencies from 10 volunteers were reduced by 33.5% after the intervention with the two micronutrients (p<0.01), and two individuals did not show any changes. Conclusion: Dietary supplement intake of FA and B12 based on MTHFR genotypes could protect the genome from damage and benefit genome health.