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Background/Aims: Folic acid (FA) deficiency/supplementation effects seem to be dependent on age group and/or physiological status. The aim was to evaluate changes associated with rapid growth in relation to methionine metabolism in rats. Methods: Four groups (n = 10 each) of male Sprague Dawley rats (5 weeks old) were on diets that varied in their FA content: 0 mg FA/kg diet (deficient), 2 mg FA/kg diet (control), 8 mg FA/kg diet (moderate supplementation), 40 mg FA/kg diet (supranormal supplementation). Animals were fed ad libitum for 30 days. Biomarkers of methionine metabolism and antioxidant status were evaluated. Results: Serum total homocysteine concentration increased (p < 0.01) in FA deficient animals, with no differences between the supplemented groups. The hepatic ‘methylation ratio’ (S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine) of the FA content groups reached similar values, which were significantly higher compared to the deficient group. The brain ‘methylation ratio’, however, remained unmodified independently of FA content in the diet. FA deficiency induced hepatic DNA hypomethylation, and supranormal FA supplementation exerted the most protective effect (p < 0.01). Serum folate levels increased according to FA dietary level, whereas no differences were seen for vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. Conclusions: FA deficiency compromises methionine metabolism whereas supplementation does not show an additional positive effect compared to the control diet in growing animals. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Body water balance is determined by the difference between the sum of water intake and endogenous water production and the sum of losses. Several questionnaires have been developed to evaluate water intake through food and drinks. However, assessing water losses through different routes of elimination is more complicated. Thus, few questionnaires evaluate intake and loss of water at the same time. Objective: This study aims to develop a hydration questionnaire which can accurately determine the hydration status in the university population. Method: The questionnaire development process included 3 steps: (1) identifying all foods and beverages from Spanish food composition tables which have water content higher than 80% (w/w); (2) recognizing the drugs and pathologies that may compromise hydration status as well as important hydration habits such as daily fluid consumption; (3) compiling all items and developing the hydration questionnaire. Results: The final version of the hydration questionnaire comprises 24 items about hydration habits, relevant pathologies and questions related to regular fluid elimination (urination/defecation). In addition, it includes a brief food frequency questionnaire of the main water diet contributors. Conclusions: We have designed a comprehensive, short and simple screening tool to assess the population's hydration status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]