FASD: Folic acid and Formic Acid - An unholy alliance in the alcohol abusing mother.

FASD: Folic acid and Formic Acid - An unholy alliance in the alcohol abusing mother. Biochem Cell Biol. 2017 Aug 09;: Authors: Kapur BM, Baber M Abstract Alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains a significant cause of preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities, however, the mechanism of toxicity remains unclear. Methanol is present as a congener in many alcoholic beverages and is formed endogenously. Since ethanol is preferentially metabolized over methanol, it has been found in the sera and CSF of alcoholics. Toxicity resulting from methanol has been attributed to formic acid. Formic acid is present in significantly higher quantities in biofluids of alcoholic patients. These higher levels can be cytotoxic and cause neuronal cell death. However, the adverse effects can be mitigated by adequate levels of hepatic folic acid, since formic acid elimination depends on folic acid. During pregnancy, folate concentrations are at least two-fold higher in cord blood then in maternal blood due to increased folate requirements. The reverse has been demonstrated in alcohol abusing pregnancies, suggesting downregulation of folate transporters and low fetal folate levels. Moreover, formic acid can cross the placenta and its adverse effects can be mitigated by folic acid. Thus, the combination of low fetal folate levels and presence of formic acid form a potent cytotoxic combination that may play a significant role in the etiology ...
Source: Biochemistry and Cell Biology - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: Biochem Cell Biol Source Type: research