Non linear relationship between level of folic acid in serum and apoptosis in human gastric mucosa: a cross-sectional study

Gastric cancer is the fourth common malignancy and the second prevalent cause of cancer death in the world. Genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of this cancer. Nutritional and epidemiological studies have indicated that folate status modulates the risk of developing cancer and apoptosis has been reported to play a decisive role in precancerous changes. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether there is any relationship between serum folic acid levels and apoptosis, as an early indicator of gastric cancer changes, in human gastric mucosa. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 62 patients out of 98 subjects with over 18 years old that referred to 2 hospitals in Tabriz, Iran to undergo an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We measured the levels of folic acid in serum and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL technique. We tested polynomial curve to find the best fit between them. The positive relation between serum folic acid and apoptosis found in the present study and our results indicate that the final and the best fit curve was: apoptosis =1.898+1.57×10-10× (Folic acid)8. Our study indicates the relation between level of folic acid in serum and apoptosis in human gastric mucosa was not linear and it is suggested more interventional and control study.