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Thabet RH, Alessa REM, Al-Smadi ZKK, Alshatnawi BSG, Amayreh BMI, Al-Dwaaghreh RBA, Salah SKA. Folic acid: friend or foe in cancer therapy. J Int Med Res 2024; 52:3000605231223064. [PMID: 38229460 PMCID: PMC10935767 DOI: 10.1177/03000605231223064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Folic acid plays a crucial role in diverse biological processes, notably cell maturation and proliferation. Here, we performed a literature review using articles listed in electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. In this review article, we describe contradictory data regarding the role of folic acid in cancer development and progression. While some studies have confirmed its beneficial effects in diminishing the risk of various cancers, others have reported a potential carcinogenic effect. The current narrative review elucidates these conflicting data by highlighting the possible molecular mechanisms explaining each point of view. Further multicenter molecular and genetic studies, in addition to human randomized clinical trials, are necessary to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between folic acid and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romany H. Thabet
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba, Jordan
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Ismail S, Eljazzar S, Ganji V. Intended and Unintended Benefits of Folic Acid Fortification-A Narrative Review. Foods 2023; 12:foods12081612. [PMID: 37107407 PMCID: PMC10137700 DOI: 10.3390/foods12081612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inadequate folate intake during pregnancy is the leading cause of the development of neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns. For this reason, mandatory fortification of folic acid, a synthetic, easily bioavailable form, in processed cereals and cereal products has been implemented in the US since 1 January 1998 to reduce the risk of NTD in newborn children. This report aimed to review the literature related to the impact of mandated folic acid fortification on the intended and unintended benefits to health. Potential adverse effects were also discussed. We searched Pubmed, Google Scholar, Embase, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases for reports. About 60 reports published between January 1998 and December 2022 were reviewed, summarized, and served as background for this review. The intended benefit was decreased prevalence of NTDs, while unintended benefits were reduction in anemia, blood serum homocysteine, and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Potential issues with folic acid fortification are the presence of unmetabolized folic acid in circulation, increased risk of cancer, and the masking of vitamin B-12 deficiency. From a health perspective, it is important to monitor the impact of folic acid fortification periodically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrooq Ismail
- Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Science, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Sereen Eljazzar
- Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Science, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Vijay Ganji
- Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Science, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
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Lovato I, Simonelli A, Visentin S, Priante E, Baraldi E, Sacchi C. Prenatal environment and developmental trajectories: the intrauterine growth restriction. Minerva Pediatr (Torino) 2023; 75:62-74. [PMID: 35708036 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5276.22.06949-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The prenatal environment is of fundamental importance for the fetus, as the fetus is particularly susceptible to environmental influences while in utero, and several prenatal adversities may constitute a risk factor for fetal growth and child development. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to a pregnancy complication involving the inadequate growth of the fetus in utero, with potential programming consequences on the children's brain-behavior development. In this narrative review we will discuss the most recent literature about IUGR children, including their development and their relationship with the prenatal and postnatal environment. In particular, as an attempt to an adaptive response to intrauterine changes, the brain development of IUGR fetuses follows abnormal developmental pathways, which likely has cascade effects on the future neurodevelopmental outcomes of the children. Cognitive and motor functions are in fact impaired, as well as IUGR children present, across studies, poor socio-emotional abilities and a greater risk for internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. The current work also highlights how the postnatal environment, and in particular parental care, has an important role in IUGR development, acting as a protective factor, or otherwise increasing their constitutional vulnerabilities. Overall, this narrative review has important implications for clinical practice, suggesting the need for long-term follow-up care with IUGR children and strategies supporting parent-child interactions as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Lovato
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandra Simonelli
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Silvia Visentin
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Priante
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Eugenio Baraldi
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Sacchi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padua, Italy -
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Cheng Q, Gao L. Maternal serum zinc concentration and neural tube defects in offspring: a meta-analysis. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 35:4644-4652. [PMID: 33350875 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1860930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was to assess the relationship between maternal serum zinc concentration and NTDs in offspring by conducting a meta-analysis. METHODS We searched Pubmed, Medline and Web of Science for all English studies about the relationship between maternal serum zinc level and NTDs in offspring (published between 1 January 1975 and 1 January 2020). Pooled effect sizes with corresponding 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effect model by Revman 5.3 and Stata 15.1 software. RESULTS Eight articles met our selection criteria and a total of 187 cases and 894 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Our results showed that mothers with NTDs infants had lower serum zinc concentration than those with healthy infants (SMD= -0.77, 95%CI [-1.16, -0.37], p = .0001, I 2 = 73%). CONCLUSIONS Compared with mothers with healthy infants, mothers with NTDs infants have lower serum zinc levels, suggesting that low maternal serum zinc level during pregnancy is probably associated with the risk of NTDs in offspring. But the mechanism of the association remains to be ascertained by large-scale cohort studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- QianHui Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - LiJie Gao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Camier A, Kadawathagedara M, Lioret S, Bois C, Cheminat M, Dufourg MN, Charles MA, de Lauzon-Guillain B. Social Inequalities in Prenatal Folic Acid Supplementation: Results from the ELFE Cohort. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11051108. [PMID: 31109064 PMCID: PMC6566921 DOI: 10.3390/nu11051108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Most professional and international organizations recommend folic acid supplementation for women planning pregnancy. Various studies have shown high levels of non-compliance with this recommendation. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic characteristics related to this compliance. The analyses were based on 16,809 women from the French nationwide ELFE cohort (Etude Longitudinale Française depuis l’Enfance). Folic acid supplementation was assessed at delivery, and sociodemographic characteristics were collected at two months postpartum. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and compliance with recommendations on folic acid supplementation (no supplementation, periconceptional supplementation, and supplementation only after the periconceptional period) was examined using multivariate multinomial logistic regression. Only 26% of French women received folic acid supplementation during the periconceptional period, 10% of women received supplementation after the periconceptional period, and 64% received no supplementation. Young maternal age, low education level, low family income, multiparity, single parenthood, maternal unemployment, maternal overweight, and smoking during pregnancy were related to lower likelihood of folic acid supplementation during the periconceptional period compared to no supplementation. These associations were not explained by unplanned pregnancy. Immigrant and underweight women were more likely to receive folic acid supplementation after the periconceptional period. Our study confirms great social disparities in France regarding the compliance with the recommendations on folic acid supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Camier
- INSERM, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
- Université de Paris, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
| | - Manik Kadawathagedara
- INSERM, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
- Université de Paris, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
| | - Sandrine Lioret
- INSERM, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
- Université de Paris, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
| | - Corinne Bois
- Unité Mixte Inserm-Ined-EFS Elfe, Ined, 75020 Paris, France.
| | - Marie Cheminat
- Unité Mixte Inserm-Ined-EFS Elfe, Ined, 75020 Paris, France.
| | | | - Marie Aline Charles
- INSERM, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
- Université de Paris, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
- Unité Mixte Inserm-Ined-EFS Elfe, Ined, 75020 Paris, France.
| | - Blandine de Lauzon-Guillain
- INSERM, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
- Université de Paris, UMR1153 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
- INRA, U1125 Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Research Team on Early Life Origins of Health (EAROH), 75004 Paris, France.
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Zhu YN, Wang LZ, Li CC, Cui Y, Wang M, Lin YJ, Zhao RP, Wang W, Xiang H. Artificial selection on storage protein 1 possibly contributes to increase of hatchability during silkworm domestication. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007616. [PMID: 30668559 PMCID: PMC6358105 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Like other domesticates, the efficient utilization of nitrogen resources is also important for the only fully domesticated insect, the silkworm. Deciphering the way in which artificial selection acts on the silkworm genome to improve the utilization of nitrogen resources and to advance human-favored domestication traits, will provide clues from a unique insect model for understanding the general rules of Darwin's evolutionary theory on domestication. Storage proteins (SPs), which belong to a hemocyanin superfamily, basically serve as a source of amino acids and nitrogen during metamorphosis and reproduction in insects. In this study, through blast searching on the silkworm genome and further screening of the artificial selection signature on silkworm SPs, we discovered a candidate domestication gene, i.e., the methionine-rich storage protein 1 (SP1), which is clearly divergent from other storage proteins and exhibits increased expression in the ova of domestic silkworms. Knockout of SP1 via the CRISPR/Cas9 technique resulted in a dramatic decrease in egg hatchability, without obvious impact on egg production, which was similar to the effect in the wild silkworm compared with the domestic type. Larval development and metamorphosis were not affected by SP1 knockout. Comprehensive ova comparative transcriptomes indicated significant higher expression of genes encoding vitellogenin, chorions, and structural components in the extracellular matrix (ECM)-interaction pathway, enzymes in folate biosynthesis, and notably hormone synthesis in the domestic silkworm, compared to both the SP1 mutant and the wild silkworm. Moreover, compared with the wild silkworms, the domestic one also showed generally up-regulated expression of genes enriched in the structural constituent of ribosome and amide, as well as peptide biosynthesis. This study exemplified a novel case in which artificial selection could act directly on nitrogen resource proteins, further affecting egg nutrients and eggshell formation possibly through a hormone signaling mediated regulatory network and the activation of ribosomes, resulting in improved biosynthesis and increased hatchability during domestication. These findings shed new light on both the understanding of artificial selection and silkworm breeding from the perspective of nitrogen and amino acid resources. Like other domesticates, nitrogen resources are also important for the only fully domesticated insect, the silkworm. Deciphering the way in which artificial selection acts on the silkworm genome to improve the utilization of nitrogen resources, thereby advancing human-favored domestication traits, will provide clues from a unique insect model for understanding the general rules of Darwin's theory on artificial selection. However, the mechanisms of domestication in the silkworm remain largely unknown. In this study, we focused on one important nitrogen resource, the storage protein (SP). We discovered that the methionine-rich storage protein 1 (SP1), which is divergent from other SPs, is the only target of artificial selection. Based on functional evidence, together with key findings from the comprehensive comparative transcriptome, we propose that artificial selection favored higher expression of SP1 in the domestic silkworm, which would influence the genes or pathways vital for egg development and eggshell formation. Artificial selection also consistently favored activated ribosome activities and improved amide and peptide biosynthesis in the ova, like what they may act in the silk gland to increase silk-cocoon yield. We highlighted a novel case in which artificial selection could directly act on a nitrogen resource protein associated with a human-desired domestication trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Li-Zhi Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cen-Cen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Yong Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Man Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Jian Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruo-Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Wen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology, Northwestern Poly-technical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hui Xiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- * E-mail:
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Li H, Zhang J, Niswander L. Zinc deficiency causes neural tube defects through attenuation of p53 ubiquitylation. Development 2018; 145:145/24/dev169797. [PMID: 30545932 DOI: 10.1242/dev.169797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Micronutrition is essential for neural tube closure, and zinc deficiency is associated with human neural tube defects. Here, we modeled zinc deficiency in mouse embryos, and used live imaging and molecular studies to determine how zinc deficiency affects neural tube closure. Embryos cultured with the zinc chelator TPEN failed to close the neural tube and showed excess apoptosis. TPEN-induced p53 protein stabilization in vivo and in neuroepithelial cell cultures and apoptosis was dependent on p53. Mechanistically, zinc deficiency resulted in disrupted interaction between p53 and the zinc-dependent E3 ubiquitin ligase Mdm2, and greatly reduced p53 ubiquitylation. Overexpression of human CHIP, a zinc-independent E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets p53, relieved TPEN-induced p53 stabilization and reduced apoptosis. Expression of p53 pro-apoptotic target genes was upregulated by zinc deficiency. Correspondingly, embryos cultured with p53 transcriptional activity inhibitor pifithrin-α could overcome TPEN-induced apoptosis and failure of neural tube closure. Our studies indicate that zinc deficiency disrupts neural tube closure through decreased p53 ubiquitylation, increased p53 stabilization and excess apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huili Li
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Lee Niswander
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA .,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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