Folyl polyglutamates

Red blood cell folate levels which are reduced in vitamin Bj 2 deficient patients increase upon initiation of vitamin therapy (Herbert and Zalusky, 1962). The reduction in total RBC folate is due primarily to decreased folyl polyglutamates with little change in monoglutamates (Jeejeebhoy et al., 1965 Chanarin et al, 1974). Stokstad and co-workers have demonstrated decreased pteroylpolygluta-mates (Thenen and Stokstad, 1973) and an increase in the ratio of methylated to non-methylated folates in the livers of vitamin B 2 deficient rats (Vidal and Stokstad, 1974). Reduction of Me THF uptake was seen in bone marrow cells (Tisman and Herbert, 1973) and PHA-stimulated lymphocytes (Lavoie et al., 1974) from vitamin patients. Lavoie et al. also found a reduction in transfer of methyl groups from C-Me THF to non-folate compounds. 

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