Folate metabolism of Chlorella pyrenoidosa on subjects of MTHFR C677T polymorphism

Abstract

Folate is an important coenzyme for DNA biosynthesis and for many metabolic processes. Folate deficiency causes macrocytic anemia, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and breast cancer. There are many kinds of folate supplements such as synthetic folic acid (FA) and L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate as well as from natural sources like Chlorella. 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme involved in folate metabolism via one-carbon metabolism. MTHFR C677T polymorphism is related with autism, Alzheimer's disease, neural tube defects and CVD. We studied the effects of Chlorella pyrenoidosa on subjects of who had MTHFR C677T polymorphism. Seven outpatients were enrolled. Three were mutant homozygous genotype TT (TT), three were heterozygous genotype CT (CT) and one was CC type (CC). We conducted blood biochemical tests before and during supplementing with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for 3 months. There was a negative correlation (r = -0.43, p = 0.33) between folate and homocysteine before taking Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The TT group had a tendency of low folate concentration before this study (TT group 5.53 ng/mL, CT group 14.13 ng/mL) which increased after taking Chlorella pyrenoidosa (6.73 ng/mL). Two subjects showed an increase in serum albumin and iron levels. One case of hyperlipidemia (CT) showed a decrease of total cholesterol (305 mg/dL before, 256 mg/dL after). Blood sample analyses suggested that those with a baseline of low folate concentration showed a high serum homocysteine. High homocysteine has been reported to have a negative relationship with many health conditions. TT polymorphisms showed a tendency towards a low concentration of folate. This study showed the possibility of beneficial effects of Chlorella pyrenoidosa for folate metabolism and other nutritional benefits.