Impact of dietary supplementation of one-carbon metabolism on neural recovery

Joshua T.Emmerson; Lauren K.Murray; Nafisa M.Jadavji

doi:10.4103/1673-5374.211183

摘要：In the cell, one-carbon metabolism modulates nucleotide synthesis, DNA repair, as well as methylation through the reduction of homo-cysteine (Figure 1). High levels of plasma homocysteine have been associated with negative health outcomes in humans (Murray et al., 2017). Folates, B-vitamins, are a major component of one-car-bon metabolism and play an important role in brain function. Specifically, they are involved in nucleotide synthesis, DNA repair, methylation, second messenger systems, ion channels, protein, and neurotransmitter synthesis, as well as the metabolism of homo-cysteine (Murray et al., 2017). Folate is the natural form found in foods, whereas folic acid is the chemically synthesized and often found in supplements. In 1998, the importance of folates was noted in the prevention of neural tube defects by both the Canadian and US governments and mandatory folic acid fortification laws were put into place. The neuroprotective properties of folic acid during development suggest that it may modulate growth and differenti-ation in the brain. Another component of one-carbon metabolism is the nutrient choline. In the brain, choline's primary role is in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, and lipid metabo-lism. In the rest of the body, choline also generates a methyl group to remethylate homocysteine to methionine. This reaction is done to a lesser extent in the brain.