Folate levels in human liver from autopsies in Canada

Abstract

Liver folate is considered to be a direct measure of body folate stores. Specimens of 560 livers were therefore collected during autopsies at hospitals in seven cities across Canada, and analyzed for 'total' folate. The values obtained ranged from 2.7 to 15.6 μg/g. Stillborn infants had the lowest mean liver folate levels (5.9 μg/g). Mean liver folate levels tended to increase from birth to a peak between 11 to 30 years (8.8 μg/g), and then decreased with increasing age. This trend was reflected in an increased proportion (6 to 15%) of folate levels in the 3.1 to 5.0 μg/g range in older subjects. Liver folate levels of male subjects did not differ from those of females. Mean liver levels tended to be slightly higher, and the number of liver levels between 3.1 to 5.0 μg/g was lower, in subjects dying accidentally (7.8%) and from heart and coronary disease (8.7%), than in those dying from cancer, respiratory diseases or other causes (11.7 to 15.3%). Only two subjects had liver folate levels below 3 μg/g. In this survey, there was thus little evidence of severe folate deficiency.