title: Correlation between folate and vitamin B₁₂ and markers of DNA stability in healthy men: preliminary results.
abstract: The aim of this study was to find correlations between folate and vitamin B₁₂ on baseline damage in white blood cells and their association with smoking, alcohol consumption and ageing. Thirty-six healthy vitamin non-deficient male subjects were selected in a randomized study. Comet assay (SCGE) and micronucleus (MN) assay were used as biomarkers of DNA damage. The amount of DNA damage was correlated with vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid concentration. Positive, but non-significant correlation (canonical R = 0.61; χ²=28.97; P=0.253) was found between micronucleus (MN) frequency or comet assay parameters (SCGE) and five covariates (age, smoking, alcohol consumption, vitamin B₁₂ and folate blood serum concentration). The highest MN frequency was observed in the group with the lowest vitamin B₁₂ concentration (F=3.59; P=0.024). The SCGE assay failed to show significant correlation with vitamin B₁₂ or folic acid concentration. Concentration of vitamin B₁₂ was significantly correlated with incidence of micronuclei. Our results present background data that could be valuable for future genotoxicological monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia. mmilic@imi.hr
authors.forename: Mirta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milić
authors.forename: Ružica
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rozgaj
authors.forename: Vilena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kašuba
authors.forename: Višnja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Oreščanin
authors.forename: Melita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balija
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jukić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12