Helicobacter pylori serologic status has no influence on the association between fucosyltransferase 2 polymorphism (FUT2 461 G→A) and vitamin B-12 in Europe and West Africa

Abstract

This study confirms the influence of FUT2 461 G→A polymorphism on plasma vitamin B-12 concentration and showed no influence of H. pylori serologic status on this association in ambulatory subjects from Europe and West Africa.

Should vitamin B12 status be considered in assessing risk of neural tube defects?

“…The apparent conundrums in relation to the prevalence of vitamin B 12 deficiency across different populations might be explained to some extent by genetic differences between racial and ethnic groups. Studies both from the African continent and the United States consistently demonstrate significantly higher concentrations of total vitamin B 12 and the two serum B 12 ‐binding proteins TCII and haptocorrin in black compared with white subjects . These racial differences are observed across the life span, from cord blood samples in newborn infants to healthy elderly.…”

“…For example, compared with non‐Hispanic whites, Mexican Americans and non‐Hispanic blacks have serum B 12 concentrations that are 10% and 21% higher, respectively . It is unlikely that the differences between black and white populations are environmental, and therefore genetic factors are likely to be involved …”

“…It is not clear whether the relationship of FUT2 with serum vitamin B 12 is due to microbiome interactions or other factors. One study examined the relationship between polymorphisms in FUT2 and helicobacter infection, a known cause of lower vitamin B 12 status, but there was no significant association . Such gene–nutrient–infection interactions remain poorly explored.…”

Vitamin B12 Gene Polymorphisms and Chronic Diseases

“…However, a case control study by Stettin et al [23] which examined 90 healthy subjects including 69 with H. pylori positive serology, did not find any significant impact of H. pylori-positive serology on vitamin B status. Similarly, a study of ambulatory subjects from Europe and West Africa found no significant association between H. pylori infection and FUT2 461 G/A (rs601338) polymorphism although FUT2 461 A/A genotype was associated with higher plasma vitamin B12 concentration in the total population [24]. These conflicting studies indicate that the influence of FUT2 polymorphism on vitamin B12 concentration cannot be conclusively linked to H. pylori-related mechanism.…”

Association of combined GIF290T>C heterozygous mutation/FUT2 secretor variant with neural tube defects

“…GIF is a fucosylated glycoprotein secreted by gastric parietal cells and needed for the ileal uptake of B12. The FUT2 rs601338 secretor variant influences the blood level of vitamin B12 and the secretion of GIF . The subjects homozygous for the FUT2 rs601338 non‐secretor variant (GG genotype) have a higher B12 blood level than those with the secretor variant, in large cohorts with levels within the range of normal values .…”