Serum Folate Levels and Intake of Folate, VB₂, and VB₆ Are Inversely Associated with Symptoms in Japanese Male Patients with Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Observational studies of Japanese healthy subjects have demonstrated an inverse relationship between low levels of folate and depression scores in male subjects. However, few studies have examined folate levels and depressive symptoms among Japanese patients with depression. We examined the association of folate levels with symptoms of depression in Japanese patients. The following variables were assessed in 103 patients (n=60 males, 40.1±11.4 yr; and 43 females, 37.9±12.4 yr) with psychiatric disorders: depressive symptoms; serum levels of folate, homocysteine, and VB₁₂; intakes of folate, VB₂, VB₆, and VB₁₂; and genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Serum folate levels and intakes of folate, VB₂, and VB₆ showed a significant inverse correlation with psychiatric symptoms in male, but not female, patients. Serum folate levels in females were significantly higher than those in males. Intakes of folate, VB₂, and VB₆ were significantly higher in females than in males. Among these patients, the frequency of the TT genotype of MTHFR genetic polymorphism, a reported risk factor for depression, did not differ from that of a healthy Japanese population. Folate status is associated with depressive symptoms in male patients.