Study finds vitamin B12 is a key player in cellular reprogramming and tissue regeneration

Vitamin B12 is a well-known micronutrient that has long been recognized for its important role in maintaining nerve function, supporting red blood cell production, and promoting DNA synthesis, processes important for overall health. Researchers led by Dr. Manuel Serrano of the Barcelona IRB have revealed that vitamin B12 also plays an important role in cell reprogramming and tissue regeneration. It was discovered that published in diary natural metabolism

The study focused on an experimental process known as cell reprogramming, which is thought to mimic the early stages of tissue repair. The IRB team discovered that reprogramming cells in mice requires large amounts of vitamin B12. In fact, vitamin B12 depletion becomes a limiting factor that slows down and impairs some aspects of the reprogramming process.

Considering that the normal diet of mice contains abundant vitamin B12, the researchers were surprised to observe that simply supplementing with vitamin B12 significantly increased the efficiency of reprogramming. Ta.

Potential treatment for ulcerative colitis

The researchers validated their findings in a model of ulcerative colitis and demonstrated that intestinal cells that begin repair undergo a process similar to cellular reprogramming and also benefit from vitamin B12 supplementation. Patients with intestinal disorders may benefit from vitamin B12 supplementation.

“Our research revealed an important role for vitamin B12 in cell reprogramming and tissue repair. These findings hold promise for regenerative medicine with the potential to benefit patients through improved nutrition. ,” said Dr. Manuel Serrano.

Understanding the role of vitamin B12 in cellular reprogramming

In this study, the researchers took a closer look at the metabolic requirements necessary for cell reprogramming and discovered that vitamin B12 is a limiting factor in a specific area of ​​metabolism involved in a reaction known as methylation. Precisely, the DNA of cells that initiate reprogramming or tissue repair requires very high levels of this methylation reaction and therefore vitamin B12.

Researchers have found that vitamin B12 deficiency during reprogramming or tissue repair causes significant epigenetic changes, causing errors in the function of multiple genes.

“Vitamin B12 supplementation corrected this imbalance, resulting in increased fidelity of gene function and overall reprogramming efficiency,” said Dr. Dr. Marta Kovacheva, a postdoctoral researcher, asserts:

Another study links vitamin B12 to reducing inflammation

The group led by Dr. Serrano recently published another study in collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Rosa Ramuela Raventos at the University of Barcelona (UB) and the laboratory of Dr. Ramon Estorche at the Barcelona Hospital Clinic, which found that: I concluded. It was found that people with higher levels of vitamin B12 in their blood had lower levels of inflammatory markers (IL-6 and CRP).

The researchers observed a similar relationship in older mice. These observations suggest that vitamin B12 exerts anti-inflammatory effects by reducing these markers in the body, providing valuable insight into the potential health benefits of vitamin B12. .