Ameliorative efficacy of Sepia officinalis ink extract on hepatorenal injury-induced following high-dose folic acid supplementation in rats

Sepia ink, a black suspension of melanin granules, is a multifunctional marine bioactive material. The present study aims to evaluate the ameliorative effect of the ink extract (IE) of the cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) during high dosage administration of the FA in rats. Kidney injury induced by a single oral dose of FA (250 mg /kg). Eighteen male Wistar albino rats were the control, FA group, and FA+ IE group (250mg/kg). The IE showed a significant ameliorative effect against hepatorenal injury induced by high intake of FA as evident by decreasing the levels of serum aminotransferases (AST and ALT), urea, creatinine, uric acid, and significantly increased total serum albumin. Treatment with IE normalized the antioxidant status of the injured animals by reducing the MDA and the significant increase in the levels of GSH and CAT. The present study revealed that IE had an insightful effect against hepatorenal injury-induced following high intake of FA in rats, as it alleviates the alterations in the oxidative stress markers.

Folic Acid Supplementation on Fetal Growth at Different Gestational Ages

Introduction: Folate, Vitamin B9, is found naturally in our day to day foods. It is vital for synthesis of DNA and normal cell division in humans. Studies have revealed constantly that maternal folic acid[FA] intake prior to and in early conception decreases neural tube defects. Aim: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the relationship between FA intake by the mother during conception and fetal growth at different gestational ages and also if, periconceptional and preconceptional FA intake has a positive effect on fetal growth, hence reducing the risk of low birth weight babies or small for gestational age (SGA) babies. Materials and methods: 180 pregnant women were classified based on their period of FA intake as preconception, periconception FA intake and nil FA intake. Standard fetal biometric parameters were measured using ultrasonogram during the 1st , 2nd and 3rd trimester of their pregnancy. Results: Preconception FA intake had a positive effect on fetal growth as compared to those who abstained from FA supplementation. Intake during preconception and peri-conception i.e. immediately after confirmation of pregnancy was found to have a reduced risk of low fetal weight as against those who did not consume FA. Fetal biometry showed significant difference between preconception and periconception groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, preconceptional and periconceptional FA supplementation of 0.4-0.5 mg/day was positively affecting fetal growth and caused an optimal birth weight by decreasing the incidence of low birth weight.

Precise Dose of Folic Acid Supplementation Is Essential for Embryonic Heart Development in Zebrafish

Folic acid, one of the 13 essential vitamins, plays an important role in cardiovascular development. Mutations in folic acid synthesis gene 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is associated with the occurrence of congenital heart disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of cardiac development by mthfr gene are poorly understood. Here, we exposed zebrafish embryos to excessive folate or folate metabolism inhibitors. Moreover, we established a knock-out mutant of mthfr gene in zebrafish by using CRISPR/Cas9. The zebrafish embryos of insufficient or excessive folic acid and mthfr−/− mutant all gave rise to early pericardial edema and cardiac defect at 3 days post fertilization (dpf). Furthermore, the folic acid treated embryos showed abnormal movement at 5 dpf. The expression levels of cardiac marker genes hand2, gata4, and nppa changed in the abnormality of folate metabolism embryos and mthfr−/− mutant, and there is evidence that they are related to the change of methylation level caused by the change of folate metabolism. In conclusion, our study provides a novel model for the in-depth study of MTHFR gene and folate metabolism. Furthermore, our results reveal that folic acid has a dose-dependent effect on early cardiac development. Precise dosage of folic acid supplementation is crucial for the embryonic development of organisms.

Mengenal Spina Bifida dan Pencegahannya

Neural tube defects (NTD) are one of the birth defects or congenital abnormalities that occur in the brain and spine, and commonly find in newborns worldwide. Anencephaly and spina bifida are the two prevalent forms of NTD. The incidence of spina bifida happen on average 1 in 1000 cases of birth worldwide and there are 140,000 cases per year worldwide. Source searches were carried out on the online portal of journal publications as many as 20 sources from MedScape, Google Scholar and the Nation Center for Biotechnology Information / NCBI with the keywords “Neural tube defects (NTD), prevention, and spina bifida”. Spina bifida is a congenital abnormality that occurs in the womb due to a failure of closing process the neural tube during the first few weeks of embryonic development which causes the spine not completely close around the developing spinal cord nerves. NTD can ensue multifactorial conditions such as genetic, environmental, and folate deficiency. The use of folic acid supplementation starting at least 3 months before pregnancy, those are 400 mcg (0.4 mg) per day and 800 mcg per day during pregnancy can reduce the risk of developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Generally, spina bifida is undertaking by surgery and the regulation of patients comorbid. Public can find out prevention to avoid or reduce the risk of spina bifida so that the incidence of spina bifida can decrease along with the increasing awareness of the community regarding this disease.

Rare case series: iniencephaly, conjoined twins and anencephaly

A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind. This quote is true when we happen to see certain rare cases which we could not diagnose unless we are aware. The aim of this presentation is to bring attention of cases like Iniencephaly, conjoined twins, Anencephaly to our medical fraternity and the need to focus still more on health need of the women in reproductive age group in particular. This is also to highlight the benefits of periconceptional Folic acid supplementation and need for intense antenatal surveillance programmes and proper genetic counselling to affected parents.

Level of Awareness and Knowledge of Folic Acid Intake among Women in the Reproductive Age in ARAR Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects. As approximately 50% of pregnancies are unintended, women of reproductive age should be aware of the importance of folic acid. This study aims to assess the level of awareness and knowledge among childbearing female on the importance of preconception folic acid supplementation in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) in Arar city. Methodology: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arar city, Norther Saudi Arabia on included Saudi women in reproductive age. A pre-designed online questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was entered and analyzed using statistical package for Social Sciences Program, version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). The results were displayed as counts, percentages. Appropriate statistical tests will be used for comparisons. P ≤ 0.05 is considered significant. Results: The sample consisted of 428 women in reproductive age, 60.1% aged between 30 to 40 years, 39% aged between 20 to 30 years and only 0.9% aged between 18 to 20 years old. 91.8% were married. 85% of participants reported that their doctor prescribed folic pills for them before. 95.1% think that women should take folic acid pills in pregnancy while 75.2% think that it is necessary to take folic pills pre-pregnancy. 85.3% had taken folic acid pills in previous pregnancy. 31.3% think that it should be stopped after pregnancy. 84.6% think that folate deficiency causes fetal abnormalities. Only 8.4% of studied women reported attending seminar or lecture on folic acid importance. Conclusion: The results of the current study affirmed good knowledge of folic acid supplementation usage during pregnancy among women in Arar, KSA. There was a significant association between knowledge of folic acid taking importance during pregnancy with marital status, number of children, and educational level of participants.