Access Type
Open Access Thesis
Date of Award
January 2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Nutrition and Food Science
First Advisor
Diane C. Cabelof
Abstract
ABSTRACT
THE EFFECT OF DIETARY FOLATE ON TISSUE FOLATE STATUS.
by
Ghada Aoun
December 2015
Advisor: Dr. Diane Cabelof
Major: Nutrition & Food Science
Degree: Masters of Science
The folates are a family of structurally similar, water soluble, B vitamins that play a crucial role in human health and disease. Folate has an important role in the synthesis of DNA, DNA methylation, and cellular growth. Folate coenzymes function in accepting and donating one-carbon units in the folate metabolic pathway. Folate deficiency impairs DNA synthesis, induces cancer, and causes abnormalities such as neural tube defects and megaloblastic anemia. While scientific research has established the effects of folate deficiency on serum folate, a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of folate deficiency in tissues and cells has yet to be conducted. Using molecular techniques to determine gene expression and a microbiological assay to determine the folate level, we elucidated the mechanism of folate tissue status in response to folate depletion. Our study showed that dietary folate deficiency had an impact on serum folate as well as tissue folate status. This demonstrates the differential effect of folate deficiency on individual health and gene expression.
Recommended Citation
Aoun, Ghada, "The Effect Of Dietary Folate On Tissue Folate Status" (2015). Wayne State University Theses. 444.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/444