The main questions to be addressed in this pilot study are:~what is the type of folate in red blood cells in individuals with different methylterahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotypes~what is the relationship between other folate metabolism-related gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and type (species) of folate found in red blood cells~what is the relationship between folate and other B vitamin status, genotype and folate species~is there a relationship between serum ferritin status and folate metabolism~Whole blood will be taken from apparently healthy male and female volunteers, aged 18-65, which will be used to determine genotype for various folate metabolism-related genes. Furthermore, the type of folate present on the red blood cells will be assessed, and folate, vitamin B12, riboflavin and serum ferritin status determined.
This pilot study is designed to investigate differences in folate-related genes (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and their relationship to the species of folate present on red blood cells.