Micronucleus frequency in human lymphocytes is related to plasma vitamin B12 and homocysteine

Abstract

In a series of studies, we have been able to confirm that the micronucleus index in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes is significantly negatively correlated with plasma vitamin B12 (B12) concentration and significantly positively correlated with plasma homocysteine (HC). Furthermore we have shown in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled dietary intervention study that intake of 3.5 times the RDI of folic acid and B12 significantly reduces the micronucleus index only in those with above average levels of micronucleus frequency. Micronucleus frequency is minimised when plasma HC is below 7.5 micromol/l and plasma B12 is above 300 pmol/l. Therefore, it is important to take account of the effect of B12 and HC when using the micronucleus assay for human biomonitoring studies.