[Effects of folate deficiency with HPV16 infection on cervix cancerization]

To investigate the relationship between folate in serum, red blood cell (RBC), cervix cancerization, as well as the interaction between folate deficiency and HPV16 infection in cervix cancerization.

254 samples were selected from the patients who were newly pathologically diagnosed of having cervix inflammation (CI), low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN I), high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN II/III) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). PCR and microbiological assay were adopted to detect HPV infection and folate concentration.

Rates of HPV16 infection increased with the severity of cervix cancerization (tend: χ² = 34.96, P < 0.001), while decreased with concentrations of serum and RBC folate (tend: χ² = 42.17, P < 0.001; tend: χ² = 31.39, P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between serum and RBC folate (r = 0.405, P < 0.001). Data from grouping analysis showed that OR and aOR of serum and RBC folate appeared a rising trend, with statistical significance in CIN II/III and SCC, but did not show the same trend in CIN I. Results from interaction analysis showed that serum folate deficiency had an additive interaction with HPV16 infection in CIN II/III and SCC, while RBC folate having an additive interaction with HPV16 infection in the whole process of cervix cancerization.

Both serum and RBC folate deficiency could increase the risk of cervix cancerization, and folate deficiency might have a synergic action with HPV16 in this procession.