Plasma Homocysteine, Folate and Vitamin B12 in Different Trimester of Pregnancy

Abstract

The present study has been undertaken to investigate plasma creatinine, folate and
vitamin B 12 as underlying factors in the reduction of plasma homocysteine
concentration in different trimesters of pregnancy. Under a cross-sectional design,
30 healthy nonpregnant as well as 130 pregnant women, at 3 different trimesters of
pregnancy (43 in 1"‘ trimester, 44 in 2"'* trimester and 43 in 3'''’ trimester) were
sampled for plasma levels of folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine and creatinine.
Plasma homocysteine and creatinine level were significantly (p<0.014) lower in
pregnant women at different trimester (1**, 2"'^ and 3'"'^ trimester) compared to
nonpregnant women. Plasma folate was significantly higher in different groups of
pregnant women compared to nonpregnant women. Significant negative correlation
was found between plasma homocysteine and folate in nonpregnant (r=-0.453,
p<0.012) and pregnant women at 2"'’ trimester (r=-0.681, p<0.001). There was
found significant negative correlation between plasma homocysteine and vitamin
B,2 at 1®' trimester group (r=-0.322, p<0.035) and 2"‘* trimester group (r=-0.394,
p<0.008) but not in 3’’ trimester. In present study, reduction o f plasma total
homocysteine appears to be a physiological response in pregnancy, and the level of
plasma folate and vitamin B 12, but can not be explained by renal homodynamic
changes.