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Folic acid, vitamin B12, and homocysteine levels during fasting and after methionine load in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus

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Abstract

Aims: To assess plasma concentrations of folic acid, vitamin B12, and total plasma homocysteine (tHCY) during fasting and after methionine load in young patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: We enrolled 41 young patients with T1DM without any sign of microvascular complications and 123 healthy controls in a 1:3 case-control study. Fasting and post-methionine load (PML) tHCY, folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels were measured in both groups. Data regarding chronological age, metabolic control (assessed by mean values of glycated hemoglobin in the last 12 months) and disease duration were also recorded. Results: Fasting and PML tHCY levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls: 7.3±2.7 μmol/l vs 8.3±2.5 μmol/l (p=0.01), and 16.7±5.8 μmol/l vs 17.3±4.3 μmol/l (p=0.01), respectively. No correlation was found between fasting and PML tHCY levels and chronological age, disease duration, metabolic control, and insulin requirement. Patients had significantly higher vitamin B12 levels compared to controls: 767±318 pg/ml vs 628±236 pg/ml (p=0.003), while folic acid turned out to be lower in patients than in controls: 5.3±1.9 nmol/l vs 7.5±2.6 nmol/l (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Adolescents and young adults with T1DM without microvascular complications showed lower tHCY both during fasting and after methionine load. Lower folate concentrations in these patients might benefit from food fortification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Genoa, IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy

    A. Giannattasio, G. Minniti, M. Cotellessa, F. Napoli, R. Lorini & G. d’Annunzio

  2. Epidemiology and Biostatistics Service, Scientific Directorate, IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy

    M. G. Calevo

  3. Department of Pediatric, Neonatology and Gastroenterology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

    D. Gianotti

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  1. A. Giannattasio
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  2. M. G. Calevo
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  3. G. Minniti
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  4. D. Gianotti
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  5. M. Cotellessa
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  6. F. Napoli
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  7. R. Lorini
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  8. G. d’Annunzio
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Correspondence to M. G. Calevo.

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Giannattasio, A., Calevo, M.G., Minniti, G. et al. Folic acid, vitamin B12, and homocysteine levels during fasting and after methionine load in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. J Endocrinol Invest 33, 297–299 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346589

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346589

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