Effect of transferrin polymorphism on the metabolism of vitamin C in Zimbabwean adults.
BACKGROUND
Transferrin is the major iron binding protein in human plasma. In black persons, the transferrin CD phenotype has been associated with alterations in certain markers of iron status.


OBJECTIVE
We studied vitamin C status in a Zimbabwean population according to transferrin phenotype because vitamin C metabolism is influenced by iron-driven oxidative stress.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 150 black African adults, 90 of whom were at risk of iron overload on the basis of high dietary iron content in the form of traditional beer. Transferrin phenotypes, indirect measures of iron status, and leukocyte ascorbic acid concentrations were determined. The in vitro rate of L-ascorbic acid depletion in sera from different transferrin phenotypes was investigated.


RESULTS
The transferrin phenotype frequencies of transferrin CC and CD were 0.893 and 0.107, respectively. The iron status of transferrin CC and CD subjects was similar. After adjustment for traditional beer consumption, baseline leukocyte vitamin C concentrations were significantly higher in 16 transferrin CD subjects ( +/- SE: 2.10 +/- 0.34 and 2.61 +/- 0.28 fmol/leukocyte in men and women, respectively) than in 134 transferrin CC subjects ( +/- SE: 1.65 +/- 0.11 and 1.99 +/- 0.11 fmol/leukocyte in men and women, respectively; P = 0.024). Oral administration of ascorbic acid (2.0 g every 24 h for 48 h) led to slower rises in leukocyte vitamin C concentrations in subjects with the transferrin CD phenotype than in subjects with the transferrin CC phenotype (P = 0.028). After in vitro supplementation of serum with 570 micromol vitamin C/L, the rate of L-ascorbic acid depletion was significantly lower in subjects of a transferrin CD phenotype than in subjects with the transferrin CC phenotype.


CONCLUSIONS
Transferrin polymorphism may affect vitamin C status in blacks.
Kasvosve
Ishmael
I
Department of Chemical Pathology, Medical School, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Delanghe
Joris R
JR
Gomo
Zvenyika A R
ZA
Gangaidzo
Innocent T
IT
Khumalo
Hlosukwazi
H
Langlois
Michel R
MR
Moyo
Victor M
VM
Saungweme
Thokozile
T
Mvundura
Elisha
E
Boelaert
Johan R
JR
Gordeuk
Victor R
VR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D001515:Beer; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000209:etiology*; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014168:Transferrin / Q000235:genetics*; D015030:Zimbabwe
D019266:Iron, Dietary; D014168:Transferrin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid