Determinants of Formate Concentrations

Formate is an important metabolite, serving as a donor of one-carbon groups to the intracellular tetrahydrofolate pool. However, little is known of its circulating concentrations or of their determinants. This study seeks to define formate levels and their determinants in a young, healthy population. Serum formate will be measured in 1701 subjects from the Trinity Student Study. The subjects, males and females, aged 18 to 28 years, were enrolled at Trinity College, Dublin. Formate levels will be compared with other one-carbon metabolites, vitamin status, potential formate precursors, genetic polymorphisms, and lifestyle factors.