The Influence of Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, and Methyl Donors on White Blood Cell Production in Rats

Abstract Choline and water-soluble vitamins are essential nutrients for monogastric species. Choline is involved in cell structure and function making it a crucial nutrient in cognitive, cardiovascular and liver health. Additionally, choline along with methionine, betaine, folic acid and vitamin B12 are considered methyl donors and play important roles in DNA methylation. Choline deficiency symptoms can include fatty liver, neuromuscular issues, poor immune function and poor growth rates which can affect animal production profitability. While the Swine NRC (2012) has set forth dietary requirements, there is a lack of current information related to how the levels of methyl-containing compounds differ in varying ingredients. Improvements in analytical testing procedures, changes to the genetic makeup of crops, and current processing methods collectively influence nutrient concentrations in feedstuffs. The purpose of this project was to sample and analyze numerous samples of corn dried distiller grains with solubles (corn DDGS) and wheat collected in 2019 to permit quantification of choline and other methyl-containing compounds. Thirty-two corn DDGS samples and 23 wheat samples were collected from 12 states within the United States. Samples were then analyzed at Eurofins Scientific (Des Moines, IA) for dry matter, amino acid, choline, betaine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 concentrations. In general, corn DDGS exhibited lower analyzed methyl-containing nutrient concentrations when compared with wheat (Table 1). Methionine and folic acid contents of both ingredients were similar to those reported by the Swine NRC (2012). However, analyzed choline levels were 20% lower for corn DDGS and 18% higher for wheat than those reported by the Swine NRC. The lack of updated information related to choline and betaine in these two feedstuffs would suggest there may be inaccuracies in formulating diets to meet the requirements for optimal growth and health of pigs.

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Red Blood Cell Lifespan Shortening in Patients with Early-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney & Blood Pressure Research ◽

10.1159/000502525 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (5) ◽

pp. 1158-1165 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jiu-Hong Li ◽

Jun-Feng Luo ◽

Ying Jiang ◽

Yong-Jian Ma ◽

Yong-Qiang Ji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Folic Acid ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Blood Cell ◽

Vitamin B12 ◽

Red Blood Cell ◽

Early Stage ◽

Renal Anemia ◽

Ckd Stage ◽

Stage 1

Background: Although reduced red blood cell (RBC) lifespan has been reported to be a contributory factor to anemia in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), there are limited data regarding RBC lifespan in early-stage CKD. Serum erythropoietin (EPO) is considered a primary causative factor of renal anemia. The aims of this study were to compare the RBC lifespan, serum EPO levels, and other renal anemia indicators across CKD-stage groups of patients and to analyze the impacts of etiological factors on renal anemia. Methods: A cohort of 74 non-smoking patients with CKD were enrolled, including 15 in stage 1, 18 in stage 2, 15 in stage 3, 15 in stage 4, and 11 in stage 5. RBC lifespan was determined by CO breath tests. Potential correlations of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration with RBC lifespan, reticulocyte count (Ret), and levels of EPO, ferritin, folic acid, and vitamin B12 were analyzed. Results: CKD progression was associated with decreases in (Hb) and RBC lifespan. RBC lifespan durations in CKD stages 1–5 were 122 ± 50, 112 ± 26, 90 ± 32, 88 ± 28, and 60 ± 24 days, respectively. RBC lifespan means for the stage 3, 4 and 5 groups were significantly shorter than those for the stage 1 and 2 groups. Serum EPO did not differ significantly between the CKD stage groups. (Hb) correlated directly with RBC lifespan (r = 0.372, p = 0.002) and Ret (r = 0.308, p = 0.011), but did not correlate with serum EPO, ferritin, folic acid, or vitamin B12 levels. Conclusions: Reduced RBC lifespan in early-stage CKD, demonstrated in this study, suggests that increased RBC destruction may play a more important etiological role in renal anemia than other indicators in patients with CKD.

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Preventive and therapeutic effects of gene therapy using silica nanoparticles–binding of GM-CSF gene on white blood cell production in dogs with leukopenia

Experimental Hematology ◽

10.1016/j.exphem.2008.04.002 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 36 (9) ◽

pp. 1091-1097 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Eun Wha Choi ◽

Hye Cheong Koo ◽

Il Seob Shin ◽

Young Jin Chae ◽

Jong Hwa Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Therapy ◽

Blood Cell ◽

Silica Nanoparticles ◽

White Blood Cell ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Cell Production ◽

Gm Csf

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Effects of feed restriction and supplementary folic acid and vitamin B12 on immune cell functions and blood cell populations in dairy cows

animal ◽

10.1017/s1751731119002301 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 339-345

Author(s):

N. Vanacker ◽

C.L. Girard ◽

R. Blouin ◽

P. Lacasse

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Blood Cell ◽

Vitamin B12 ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Cell Populations ◽

Feed Restriction ◽

Cell Functions

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Methyl donor supplementation of gestating sow diets improves pregnancy outcomes and litter size

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an11350 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

W. H. E. J. van Wettere ◽

R. J. Smits ◽

P. E. Hughes

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Vitamin B12 ◽

Litter Size ◽

Early Pregnancy ◽

Pregnancy Outcomes ◽

Large White ◽

Methyl Donors ◽

Homocysteine Concentration ◽

Vitamin B12 Supplementation ◽

Betaine Supplementation

Maternal intake of B-vitamin and methyl donors can affect sow prolificacy. A total of 1079 Large White/Landrace sows (parities 2–9 at mating) were used in a 2 by 2 by 2 factorial design to determine the effects of two levels of betaine supplementation (0 versus 3 g added betaine/kg feed), two levels of folic acid plus vitamin B12 supplementation (0 versus 20 mg/kg folic acid plus 150 µg/kg vitamin B12) during gestation, and two parity groups (parity 2 and 3 versus parity 4 and greater) on litter size and pregnancy outcomes. The number of sows returning to oestrus post-insemination, as well as the number of early (<Day 30) and late (>Day 30) pregnancy losses were recorded. At farrowing, the total number of piglets born, the number of piglets born alive and dead, as well as the number of mummified fetuses were recorded. Pre-prandial blood samples were collected from a subset of 20 sows/treatment on Days 3, 30 and 107 of gestation to analyse homocysteine. The incidence of early pregnancy loss was reduced (P < 0.001) by folic acid plus vitamin B12 supplementation (0.03 versus 0.07). There was a significant interaction between parity at mating (parities 2 and 3 versus parity 4 and greater) and the addition of betaine or folic acid plus vitamin B12 to the gestation diet on litter size. Litter size was higher (0.5 piglets; P < 0.05) for betaine supplemented, compared with unsupplemented, parity 4 plus sows. Folic acid plus vitamin B12-supplemented parity 2 and 3 sows gave birth to more (P < 0.05) piglets than all other treatment groups. Folic acid plus vitamin B12 supplementation decreased (P < 0.001) plasma homocysteine concentration by 2.2 and 2.8 μM, respectively, on Days 3 and 107 of gestation. However, betaine supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) homocysteine on Day 3 only. Overall, folic acid plus vitamin B12 supplementation decreased incidences of early pregnancy failure and increased litter size in early parity sows, while betaine increased litter size in older parity sows.

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“I’m Nervous about Horror Films and My Physical Health”

10.1093/oso/9780197535899.003.0004 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 62-70

Author(s):

Mathias Clasen

Keyword(s):

Blood Cell ◽

Physical Health ◽

White Blood Cell ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Indirect Evidence ◽

Well Being ◽

Horror Films ◽

Potential Health ◽

Cell Production ◽

Scientific Attention

The effects of horror movies on physical health have received little scientific attention, but there are anecdotal reports of people getting hurt and even dying as a result of horror exposure. Such cases, however, are extremely rare and usually poorly documented. While it is possible to die from fright, the odds of dying from fright induced by a horror movie are not worth worrying about. A little research has investigated potential health benefits of horror exposure. Some research suggests that horror movies may have metabolic benefits, and researchers have found that watching horror movies can increase white blood cell production and blood coagulant, but more research is needed. Indirect evidence does suggest that watching horror movies may increase self-perceived physical health or well-being.

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The Effects of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency on hemogram parameters in children

Medical Science and Discovery ◽

10.36472/msd.v6i9.290 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (9) ◽

pp. 186-191

Author(s):

Kamil Şahin ◽

Murat Elevli ◽

Cihan Coşkun ◽

Macit Koldaş

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Blood Cell ◽

Vitamin B12 ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Peripheral Blood Cell ◽

Control Group ◽

Folic Acid Deficiency ◽

B12 Deficiency ◽

Wbc Count ◽

Deficiency Group

Objective: According to numerous studies, bicytopenia, pancytopenia, or isolated thrombocytopenia and anemia patients have folic acid (folate) and vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of folate and B12 deficiency in childhood on several haemogram parameters such as platelet (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and white blood cell (WBC) count. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included children who had applied to the pediatric outpatient clinic between 2015 and 2017. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to serum B12 and folate status. The results were evaluated by statistical methods. Results: PLT and WBC levels of the folate and B12 deficiency group were found to be lower than the control group (p=0.015, p<0.001 respectively), and their MPV and HCT levels were higher (p: 0.015, p<0.001 respectively). MCV levels, however, were not different (p>0.05). No effect of PLT and MCV on folate levels was seen. Similarly, any effects of MPV, PLT and MCV independent variables on B12 levels were not observed. Although platelet and leukocyte count was decreased in folate and B12 deficiency, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia were observed only three patients. Conclusion: Although peripheral blood cell lines are not always seen low during folate and B12 deficiency, and there is not obvious anemia and MCV highness at a patient with neurological and psychological symptoms, folate and B12 deficiency should be thought if there are leukocyte and thrombocyte levels lower than mean reference values.

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