• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.426-432
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• 2001

Vitamin B(sub)12(cobalamin) is an essential nutrient in human and it is particularly important during pregnancy. Nevertheless very few studies have reported, concerning vitamin B(sub)12 in relation with reproduction. This study was conducted to evaluate the vitamin B(sub)12 nutrition status of Korean pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin B(sub)12 levels of maternal-umbilical cord blood and pregnancy outcomes. Dietary vitamin B(sub)12 intakes of the pregnants were estimated by semiquantitative frequency questionnaire. Serum vitamin B(sub)12 levels in both maternal blood and umbilical cord blood of 30 pregnant women at delivery were measured by radioimmunoassay. Mean vitamin B(sub)12 intake was 3.3$\pm$1.4$\mu\textrm{g}$/d which was 125.8% of the Korean RDA(2.6$\mu\textrm{g}$) for vitamin B(sub)12 level of umbilical cord blood was 607.8$\pm$282.9pg/ml, more than two fold of maternal vitamin B(sub)12 level 268.6$\pm$97.8pg/ml. This finding indicates that fetal uptake of vitamin B(sub)12 in the fetus may be due to an active transport mchanism across the placenta. Umbilical cord blood vitamin B(sub)12 levels were highly correlated with maternal levels($r^2$=0.548, p<0.001), showing that fetal vitamin B(sub)12 level is affected by maternal status. However there was no significant correlation between the serum vitamin B(sub)12 levels in maternal-umbilical cord blood and the pregnancy outcomes except for the birth weight. Maternal-umbilical serum vitamin B(sub)12 levels were the highest in the group of birth weight 3.0-3.5kg, and the lowest in the group of birthweight below 3.0kg. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 426~432, 2001)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.239-249
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• 2013

Subclinical vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency is common in the elderly worldwide. We investigated the change of serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration with aging and compared anthropometric data and clinical health indicators between normal (${\geq}$ 340 pg/mL) and low (< 340 pg/mL) serum vitamin $B_{12}$ groups in 470 Korean women aged 65 years and over living in a rural area. Serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration showed inverse correlation with age (r = -0.0992, p < 0.05). The normal $B_{12}$ group showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared to the low $B_{12}$ group, however, no difference in mean corpuscular volume was observed between the two groups. The normal $B_{12}$ group showed significantly lower serum homocysteine concentration (p < 0.01) and prevalence of vitamin D (p < 0.01) or folate deficiency (p < 0.001). Bone mineral density (T-score) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the normal $B_{12}$ group, compared with that in the low $B_{12}$ group, and showed positive correlation (r = 0.1490, p < 0.01) with serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration after adjusting for age, body weight, and body mass index. No differences in anthropometric data, physical activity, and smoking and drinking habits were observed between the two groups. In conclusion, it could be suggested that older female adults with normal serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level would be less anemic and osteoporotic and more resistant to hyperhomocysteinemia associated chronic diseases than those with low serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2010

Recently, we found and analyzed vitamin $B_{12}$ in some Korean traditional plant foods which had not reported, yet. This study was to investigate vitamin $B_{12}$ intake and its dietary sources and the vitamin $B_{12}$ status in the very old elderly Koreans. We measured serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level and estimated the amounts of vitamin $B_{12}$ intake from different dietary sources in female elderly Koreans aged 85 and over who had consumed a relatively low animal traditional diet for the whole life. The average age of the subjects (n = 127) was 98.0 years (85-108 years). The assessment on energy and nutrient intake involved a one-day 24-hour recall, and serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Overall diet pattern was not different between the 85-99 yr-old group and centenarians, except centenarians were taking more dairy product. The average ratio of plant food to animal food consumption was 87.5:12.5 in weight. The average vitamin $B_{12}$ intake of our subjects was 3.2 ${\mu}g$, and 52.7% of subjects consumed under estimated average requirement, 2.0 ${\mu}g$/day. On dietary source, 67.3% of dietary vitamin $B_{12}$ was from meat, eggs and fishes and 30.6% was from plant foods, such as soybean-fermented foods, seaweeds, and kimchi. The average serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration was 450.5 pg/mL, and low serum vitamin $B_{12}$ (< 200 pg/mL) was found in 9.6% of subjects. Dietary vitamin $B_{12}$ intake was significantly lower in subjects with low serum vitamin $B_{12}$ (0.79 ${\mu}g$/day) than those with normal serum vitamin $B_{12}$ (3.47 ${\mu}g$/day). There were no significant difference in vitamin $B_{12}$ intake and its dietary sources and serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level between the 85-99 yr- old group and centenarians. In conclusion, several plant-origin foods including seaweed, soybean-fermented foods, and kimchi, may contribute significantly to good vitamin $B_{12}$ status in very old elderly Koreans.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2004

Adequate vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ nutrition is known to be important for reproductive function in women of childbearing age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ status and serum homocysteine levels in 115 women aged 33.2$\pm$4.0 years, who had been diagnosed with infertility, and 49 women aged 34.5$\pm$3.8 years having at least one born child. Total vitamin B$_2$ and vitamin B$_{6}$ intakes in infertile women were significantly lower than those in control. Serum vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ concentrations were significantly lower in infertile women than those in control and serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in infertile women than those in control. Thirteen percent in infertile women and zero percent in control were assessed as hyperhomocysteinemic and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia between infertile women and control. 41% infertile women were assessed as folate deficiency. Serum folate concentrations was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B$_2$ intakes was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B$_{6}$, folate intakes were negatively correlated with homocysteine of infertile women only. In conclusion, infertile women are needed to intake more B vitamins intakes. Furthermore researches are needed to estimate adequate B vitamin supplementation in infertile women. (Korean J Nutrition 37(2): 115-122, 2004): 115-122, 2004)

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2018

Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome with an increasingly prevalent etiology, yet not fully understood. It has been thought that vitamin D, complex B vitamin levels and homocysteine are associated with environmental factors and are important in ASD. The aim of this study was to examine serum vitamin D, vitamin D receptor (VDR), homocysteine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate levels in ASD. Methods: In this study, serum vitamin D and VDR, homocysteine, vitamins B6, B12 and folate levels were determined in 60 patients with ASD (aged 3 to 12 years) and in 45 age-gender matched healthy controls. In addition, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase, which are associated with vitamin D metabolism, were measured from serum in both groups. ASD severity was evaluted by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Results: Serum vitamin D and VDR were substantially reduced in patients with ASD in comparision to control group. However, homocysteine level was significantly higher and vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate were also reduced in patients with ASD. Total CARS score showed a positive association with homocysteine and a negative correlation with vitamins D,B6, B12, folate and VDR. Conclusion: This comprehensive study, which examines many parameters has shown that low serum levels of vitamins D, B6, B12, folate and VDR as well as high homocysteine are important in the etiopathogenesis of ASD. However, further studies are required to define the precise mechanism(s) of these parameters and their contributions to the etiology and treatment of ASD.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.615-622
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• 2005

Folate and Vitamin $B_{12}$ are essential nutrients important during pregnancy. This study was conducted to evaluate the folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ nutritional status of Korean pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between maternal­umbilical cord serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and pregnancy outcomes. Dietary intakes of the pregnant women were estimated by 24 hour-recall (3 times). Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord of 27 pregnant women at 1'st-, 2'nd-, 3'rd-trimester and delivery were measured by RIA (radioimmuno assay), respectively. Means of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ intake were $283.53\pm58.01{\mu}g/day\;and\; 2.99\pm1.32mg/day$, respectively. Maternal mean serum folate levels of the trimester and delivery were $9.75\pm3.60ng/ml,\;10.46\pm4.63ng/ml,\;10.71\pm4.14ng/ml\;and\;15.05\pm7.04ng/ml$. Those maternal levels were significantly lower than that of umbilical cord blood $(23.99\pm9.42ng/ml)$. Serum vitamin $B_{12}$ levels of maternal trimester and delivery were $479.07\pm137.56 pg/ml,\;310.96\pm137.56pg/ml,\;308.22\pm74.65pg/ml,\;and\;295.67\pm93.36pg/ml$, which were significantly lower than those of umbilical cord blood $(500.13\pm185.60ng/ml)$. This finding indicates that the uptake of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ in the fetus may be due to an active placental transport mechanism. Maternal serum level correlated positively with those of umbilical cord blood, showing that folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration of umbilical cord blood might be affected by maternal status. There was no significant correlation between the serum folate levels in maternal-umbilical cord blood and the pregnancy outcomes. However, maternal vitamin $B_{12}$ level at l'st trimester was significant positive correlation between the gestational age except for birth weight and weight gain.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the MTHFR variants, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiencies increase the risk of hyperhomocysteinaemia and adverse pregnancy outcome such as short gestational age or reduced birth weight. Healthy pregnant women (n=136; 24-28 gestational weeks; 20-40 years old), who visited Ewha Womans University Hospital for prenatal care, participated in this study. At the time of delivery, trained nurses recorded the pregnancy outcome from medical chart. We determined maternal MTHFR polymorphisms (C to T subsitution at nucleotide 677) and measured serum homocyteine, vitamin $B_{12}$, and folate concentrations. We compared serum homocysteine level by MTHFR genotype, serum folate and serum vitamin B12 levels using ANOVA. To evaluate the association between serum homocysteine level and pregnancy outcome, we compared the gestational age and birth weight by serum homocysteine levels using multiple regression analysis, adjusting for other potential predictors. Mean level of serum homocysteine was highest among pregnant women of the MTHFR variants with low levels of serum folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. Regarding association with birth outcome, we found the relationship between homocysteine levels and increased gestational age (p=0.03) and reduced birth outcome (p>0.05). Our data demonstrates that serum level of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ among pregnant women affects significantly serum homocysteine levels, and the genetic polymorphism of MTHFR modulates the relationship between them. However, we did not have conclusive evidence of association between high homocysteine level and adverse pregnancy outcome such as preterm or low birth weight.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 1987

In order to evaluate the clinical significances of the serum vitamin $B_{12}$, folate and ferritin levels in patients with malignant tumors, the levels were measured in 10 normal contol subjects, 70 patients with malignant tumors, 7 patients with liver cirrhosis and 25 patients with other benign diseases. The results are as follows: 1) In normal control subjects, mean serum values for vitamin $B_{12}$, folate and ferritin level were $588.80{\pm}131.58pg/ml,\;5.59{\pm}1.52ng/ml\;and\;89.22{\pm}42.78ng/ml$ retrospectively 2) There was no significant difference in serum levels between patients with benign diseases and normal control subjects. 3) The serum vitamin $B_{12}$ and ferritin levels in patients with liver cirrhosis were significantly higher than in normal control, and the serum folate levels in these patients were lower than in normal control subjects. 4) The serum vitamin $B_{12}$ and ferritin levels in patients with malignant tumors were significantly higher than in normal control subjects, and the serum folate levels in these patients were significantly lower than in normal control subjects. The above results suggest that the serum vitamin $B_{12}$ and ferritin may be useful as tumor markers in patients with malignant tumors.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.62-65
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• 2008

Purpose: Vitamin $B_{12}$ and folic acid are type of water-soluble vitamin and those work as a secondary vital enzyme, but especially those are involved in the nuclear DNA synthesis. Those are mainly measured in order to diagnose megaloblastic anemia and to assess the storage of folic acid during pregnancy. It is generally known that the hemolyzed serum is useless for folic acid and vitamin $B_{12}$, but it is not easy to abide by this information because our lab (Samkwang Medical Laboratories) is reference laboratory. We tested how much the extent of hemolyzed serum had influence on the results. Materials and Method: We performed the tests of vitamin $B_{12}$, folic acid. For the hemolysis effect study, we used 40 cases. According to the level of A, B and C groups, each group had 10 samples which were mechanically hemolyzed serum. Results: Hemolysis did not affect the vitamin $B_{12}$ results. However in case of folic acid, the value increased according to the degree of hemolysis. And severe hemolyzed cases had the highest value (greater than 20 ng/ml). Conclusions: Preventing the hemolysis, it has to be informed that blood-collecting, separation and storage are performed more carefully. As you see from the above results, hemolyzed serum is not proper for folic acid test, and hemolysis does not affect the results of vitamin $B_{12}$. However, for the more accurate results, it is necessary to avoid hemolysis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2018

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency has been associated with peripheral neuropathy, loss of sensation in the peripheral nerves, and weakness in the lower extremities. Methylcobalamin is the most effective analogue of vitamin B12 used to treat or prevent the complications associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. The current study aimed to compare the serum cobalamin levels after administration of two different regimes of methylcobalamin in peripheral neuropathy patients. Methods: The present study was a prospective, randomized, comparative study. The study consisted of two parallel groups, group A (methylcobalamin $500{\mu}g$ injection intramuscularly three times a week) and group B (methylcobalamin $1500{\mu}g$ injection intramuscularly once a week). A control group of healthy volunteers was also included. Results: A total of 24 patients (12 in each group) were included in the study. Five healthy volunteers were also included as a control in each group. At the end of treatment, serum cobalamin levels were significantly (P = 0.028) higher in group A ($1892.08{\pm}234.50$) as compared with group B ($1438.5{\pm}460.32$). The serum cobalamin levels in Group A healthy volunteers were also two times higher than that of group B (P = 0.056). Both the LANSS scale and DN4 questionnaire reported similar results at end of treatment. Conclusions: The $500{\mu}g$ methylcobalamin thrice weekly regime is more effective in increasing the serum cobalamin levels as compared to the $1500{\mu}g$ methylcobalamin once weekly regime.