Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with geographical latitude and solar radiation in the older population.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency are common in the older and are associated with several conditions including anaemia, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and cancer. Evidence from in vitro studies suggests that solar radiation can degrade both vitamins in the skin. Chile is the longest country in the world running perfectly North-South making it an ideal place to study potential associations of latitude and solar radiation on vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to examine the association between vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies and latitude. METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from Chileans aged 65+ years (n=1013) living across the whole country and assayed for vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations as part of the Chilean Health Survey 2009-2010, which is a national representative sample study. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was 11.3%, with the prevalence in the North of the country being significantly greater than in the Central and South zones (19.1%,10.5%, and 5.7%, respectively; P<0.001). The prevalence of folic acid deficiency in the whole cohort was 0.7% with no difference between the 3 geographical zones. Using logistic regression analyses, vitamin B12 deficiency was significantly associated with geographical latitude (OR 0.910 [95% confidence intervals 0.890-0.940], P<0.001) and solar radiation (OR 1.203 [95% confidence intervals 1.119-1.294], P<<0.001). These associations persisted after adjustments for confounders (OR 0.930, P<0.001 and 1.198, P=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the Chilean population of 65+, the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with living closer to the Equator and solar radiation. Although degradation by solar radiation might explain this observation, further work is required to establish the potential mechanisms. In countries that routinely fortify food with folic acid, efforts to identify vitamin B12 deficiency might be more cost-efficiently targeted in areas closest to the Equator.

Principales componentes del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona: historia, modulación farmacológica e impacto clínico / The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; history, main components, pharmacological modulation and clinical impact

La existencia del sistema Renina-Angiotensina-Aldosterona (RAA) fue postulada hace más de 100 años. Posterior al descubrimiento de sus principales componentes se inició una etapa en la que se estableció su rol patogénico en enfermedades cardiovasculares y renales. El desarrollo de fármacos capaces de inhibir la producción o bloquear la acción de los diferentes componentes de este sistema ha revolucionado la forma en la que manejamos la patología cardiovascular y renal. La identificación de nuevos elementos constituyentes de este sistema promete mejorar nuestra comprensión del funcionamiento del mismo y la posibilidad de desarrollar nuevos fármacos más selectivos en sus efectos.Todo ello garantiza que el sistema RAA continúe siendo centro de nuestra atención por muchos años.

The existence of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was first postulated over 100 years ago. Following the identification of all the major components, came the discovery of their potential pathogenicity in cardiovascular and renal disease. The introduction of drugs that inhibit the synthesis or actions of this system has prompted a number of trials that have largely shaped how cardiovascular and renal disease is managed today. The continued discovery of yet more components of this system promises to further our understanding of its influence on disease processes and herald the development of more highly selective drugs, ensuring that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system will continue to be a key area of interest for many years to come.