Vulnerability of folate in plasma and bone marrow to total body irradiation in mice

Purpose: To examine how folate status in a body is influenced by oxidative stress. Material and methods: Mice were given total body irradiation (TBI) by X-ray, and changes in the concentration of folate were compared to those in vitamins C and E. Results: In a time-dependent study, folate in plasma and bone marrow decreased from 5 h until 120 h post-TBI at 3 Gy. Folate in plasma and bone marrow decreased in a dose-dependent manner at 24 h. Marked decreases of vitamins C and E were also detected in bone marrow, but not in plasma even at 10 Gy of TBI. The susceptibility of plasma folate by irradiation was confirmed by an in vitro exposure study. Neither vitamins C and E nor folate were decreased in the liver by TBI. Conclusion: It is suggested that folate is vulnerable to oxidative stress, and folate may need to be evaluated, particularly for TBI or radiotherapy.