Aging: effect on hepatic metabolism and transport of folate in the rat

Effects of aging on hepatic folate metabolism and transport were assessed in male Fisher 344 rats. Total serum and hepatic folate levels were measured. Hepatic folates were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and by Lactobacillus casei assay. Transport of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-CH3-H4PteGlu) was measured in isolated hepatocytes. Serum folate declined with aging; however, neither the total folate level nor the distribution of hepatic folate coenzymes was affected by the aging process. The level of liver folate monoglutamates was not significantly different in any group. The initial rate of uptake of 5-CH3-H4PteGlu was significantly decreased in hepatocytes from the 24-mo-old rats, as was the ability to concentrate this folate from the medium. Aged rats maintain apparently normal levels of hepatic folates despite decreased serum levels and decreased ability to take up folates, suggesting that membrane transport of folates may not be a limiting factor in hepatic folate assimilation.