M Saboktakin [1] BS B Pourghassem Gargari [2] , PhD S Mahboob [3] , PhD N Pourafkari [4] , MD.

 Received: 16 May, 2007 Accepted: 14 Nov, 2007

 Abstract

 Background & Aims: Folate is important for the functioning of the nervous system. The results of studies are controversy and there has been no study on assessment of folate and vitamin B12 status in depressed patients in Iran. So the aim of the present study was the assessment of folate and vitamin B12 status in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and determination of relation between dietary folate and vitamin B12 with plasma levels of folate and vitamin B12.

 Materials & Methods: In 70 depressed patients with major depressive disorder plasma folate and vitamin B12 were measured with radio assay method and dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour-recall method. Definition of MDD was according to DSM-IV-R criteria for depression .

 Results: The mean plasma folate and vitamin B12 was 5.18±0.73ng/ml and 389.05±41.46pg/ml, and prevalence of low plasma folate and vitamin B12 was %51.4 and %5.7, respectively. According to dietary assessment 97.1% and 95.7% had folate and vitamin B12 intake less than RDA. Plasma folate levels were significantly associated with dietary folate intake (r = 0.283 p< 0.05). There was no significant association between plasma vitamin daily intake of B12 or other vitamin B group.

 Conclusion: Findings of this study indicate that folate and vitamin B12 levels should be taken into account in depressed patients. Low plasma levels of these micronutrients reveal the necessity of the appropriate intervention for adequate intake in these patients.

 Keywords: Major depressive disorder, Folate, Vitamin B12, Plasma levels

  Address : Health and Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Tel: 09143165247

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  E-mail: bahrampg@yahoo.com

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  Source: UMJ 2008: 19(2):179 ISSN: 1027-3727

  [1] MSC Student of Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Nutritional Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

  [2] Assistant Professor of Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Nutritional Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran (Corresponding Author)

  [3] Professor of Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Nutritional Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

  [4] Professor of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran