Vitamin B2 and Folate Concentrations are Associated with ARA, EPA and DHA Fatty Acids in Red Blood Cells of Brazilian Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Vitamins B2, B6, B12, and folate are essential for methylation reactions and possibly influence the transport of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma and red blood cells (RBC). Associations between B-vitamin biomarkers and fatty acid (FA) profile were analyzed in Brazilian children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 249 children and adolescents, aged 9–13 years old. Dietary intake was assessed by the food frequency questionnaire and the healthy eating index (HEI). Biomarkers for vitamins B2, B6, B12, and folate were measured in plasma. The FA profile and the metabolites of one-carbon metabolism were measured in RBC. Associations were tested with multiple linear regression models. An increase of 1 nmol/L in vitamin B2 was associated with an increase of 0.19 mg/dL of EPA, 0.20 mg/dL of ARA, and 0.25 mg/dL of DHA in RBC. An increase of 1 ng/mL in plasma folate was associated with an increase of 0.14 mg/dL of EPA, 0.22 mg/dL of ARA, and 0.21 mg/dL of DHA in RBC. These findings highlight the importance of an adequate intake of vitamin B2 and folate in childhood, since they may improve the FA profile in RBCs and may help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Metabolic Groups Related to Blood Vitamin Levels and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Brazilian Children and Adolescents

“…The associations between B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids are still unclear. The physiological mechanisms proposed by others (23,(64)(65)(66)(67) are usually based on positive correlations between folate and specific fatty acids but additional research is needed to explain the mechanisms for the above vitamins. We did not find any association between the metabolic groups and omega-3 fatty acids.…”

“…The anti-inflammatory attributes of B-vitamins are promising. Vitamin B2 has been shown to improve omega-3 fatty acids, known to be anti-inflammatory compounds (67). Vitamin B6 can also be mobilized to sites of inflammation where it may serve as a co-factor in pathways producing metabolites with immunomodulating effects (73).…”

Contribution of genetic ancestry and polygenic risk score in meeting vitamin B12 needs in healthy Brazilian children and adolescents

“…The participants were informed about the purpose and procedures of the study and signed a statement of informed consent. Parents of each participant signed informed consent 17 , 28 .…”

“…Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble B vitamin that plays an elemental role in DNA synthesis, methylation reactions, and genomic stability, as well as mitochondrial metabolism 22 – 25 . Vitamin B12 may impact cognitive function 12 , 26 , cardiovascular disease through its role in homocysteine metabolism, and the phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine pathway, thereby influencing the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma and in red blood cells 27 , 28 .…”

Detectable Unmetabolized Folic Acid and Elevated Folate Concentrations in Folic Acid-Supplemented Canadian Children With Sickle Cell Disease

“…Beyond the role of folate in erythropoiesis, it also plays a vital role in one-carbon metabolism, a pathway which contributes to DNA and RNA synthesis, and the conversion of homocysteine to methionine in the methylation cycle (1,6,7). Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), commonly found in animal products, green vegetables, and enriched grains (8), vitamin B-6, commonly found in animal products, grains, pulses, nuts and seeds (9), and vitamin B-12, found almost exclusively in animal products (10), also participate in one-carbon metabolism and are required for the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the universal methyl donor (11). Deficiencies of vitamins B-2, B-6, or B-12 can affect folate-dependent nucleic acid synthesis causing megaloblastic anemia, decrease cellular proliferation, and alter methylation reactions (12,13).…”