BackgroundPericonceptional use of vitamin supplements containing folic acid reduces the risk of a neural tube defect (NTD). In November 1998, food fortification with folic acid was mandated in Canada, as a public health strategy to increase the folic acid intake of all women of childbearing age. We undertook a comprehensive population based study in Newfoundland to assess the benefits and possible adverse effects of this intervention.MethodsThis study was carried out in women aged 19–44 years and in seniors from November 1997 to March 1998, and from November 2000 to March 2001. The evaluation was comprised of four components: I) Determination of rates of NTDs; II) Dietary assessment; III) Blood analysis; IV) Assessment of knowledge and use of folic acid supplements.ResultsThe annual rates of NTDs in Newfoundland varied greatly between 1976 and 1997, with a mean rate of 3.40 per 1,000 births. There was no significant change in the average rates between 1991–93 and 1994–97 (relative risk [RR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76–1.34). The rates of NTDs fell by 78% (95% CI 65%–86%) after the implementation of folic acid fortification, from an average of 4.36 per 1,000 births during 1991–1997 to 0.96 per 1,000 births during 1998–2001 (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14–0.35). The average dietary intake of folic acid due to fortification was 70 μg/day in women aged 19–44 years and 74 μg/day in seniors. There were significant increases in serum and RBC folate levels for women and seniors after mandatory fortification. Among seniors, there were no significant changes in indices typical of vitamin B12 deficiencies, and no evidence of improved folate status masking haematological manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency. The proportion of women aged 19–44 years taking a vitamin supplement containing folic acid increased from 17% to 28%.ConclusionsBased on these findings, mandatory food fortification in Canada should continue at the current levels. Public education regarding folic acid supplement use by women of childbearing age should also continue.

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This study examined the effect of moderate ethanol intake on systolic blood pressure, platelet cytosolic free calcium, aortic calcium, and rubidium-86 uptake in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Twelve Wistar-Kyoto rats, aged 6 weeks, were given 5% ethanol in drinking water the first week followed by 10% ethanol in drinking water for the next 6 weeks. Twelve control animals were given regular tap water. Systolic blood pressure in the ethanol-treated rats was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in controls after 1 week and remained higher throughout the study. At 13 weeks of age, platelet cytosolic free calcium and calcium uptake by aortas were significantly higher (p< 0.001) in ethanol-treated animals as compared with those in controls. Ethanol intake did not affect aortic ouabain-sensitive 6 -8 However, the mechanisms by which ethanol intake elevates blood pressure is not known.Abnormal contractile activity of the vascular smooth muscle is considered to be one cause for the development of hypertension.9 The contractile activity of vascular smooth muscle is regulated by the level of intracellular free calcium ions ([Ca 2+ ]j). "12 It has been suggested that factors leading to an increased [Ca 2+ ]i within the vascular smooth muscle cell may be responsible for the increased contraction of the smooth muscle and the development of hypertension. Such factors may be an increased entry of calcium ions through the cell membrane via calcium channels or an increased release of calcium ions within the smooth muscle cells. Calcium influx through cell surface calcium channels is a major contributing factor to cytosolic free calcium. 1314 In the present study, we investigated the effect of an oral intake of 10% ethanol in drinking water on systolic blood pressure, platelet cytosolic free calcium and aortic calcium, and ^Rb* uptake in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Methods Animals, Diet, and Administration of EthanolMale WKY rats from Charles River, Quebec, Canada were used in this study. All rats were given standard rat chow throughout the study and had free access to water or water/ethanol mixture. At 6 weeks of age, rats were divided into two groups: a control group (12 rats) and an ethanol group (12 rats). Animals in the control group were given regular drinking water from the tap, and the ethanol group was given 5% vol/vol ethanol in tap water in the first week and 10% ethanol in tap water from the second through the

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