BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have identified the plasma homocysteine concentration as a risk factor for atherothrombotic vascular disease. There is little information on the distributions and determinants of homocysteine concentrations in Asian populations. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to examine the relations between genetic and lifestyle factors and plasma homocysteine concentrations among Chinese in Singapore. DESIGN: Plasma total homocysteine, folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 concentrations and genetic variation at the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) locus were measured in 486 Chinese men and women aged 45-74 y in Singapore. Data on dietary and other lifestyle factors were collected in face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: Men had higher plasma concentrations of total homocysteine than women (P = 0.0001). Age was positively associated with plasma homocysteine in both sexes (P for trend = 0.0001). Plasma concentrations of folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 were inversely associated with homocysteine concentrations. Among individuals with low plasma folate, those possessing 2 copies of MTHFR mutant alleles had significantly higher homocysteine concentrations than did those with > or = 1 copy of the wild-type allele. Cigarette smoking, daily coffee consumption, and physical inactivity were positively related to plasma homocysteine concentrations in both sexes (P < 0.05). However, these associations disappeared after adjustment for plasma folate concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Age, sex, plasma folate, vitamin B-12 and B-6 concentrations, and MTHFR genotype are independent determinants of plasma homocysteine in middle-aged and older Chinese in Singapore. These factors combined could account for up to 40% of the total variation in homocysteine concentrations in this Asian population.
BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have identified the plasma homocysteine concentration as a risk factor for atherothrombotic vascular disease. There is little information on the distributions and determinants of homocysteine concentrations in Asian populations. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to examine the relations between genetic and lifestyle factors and plasma homocysteine concentrations among Chinese in Singapore. DESIGN: Plasma total homocysteine, folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 concentrations and genetic variation at the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) locus were measured in 486 Chinese men and women aged 45-74 y in Singapore. Data on dietary and other lifestyle factors were collected in face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: Men had higher plasma concentrations of total homocysteine than women (P = 0.0001). Age was positively associated with plasma homocysteine in both sexes (P for trend = 0.0001). Plasma concentrations of folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 were inversely associated with homocysteine concentrations. Among individuals with low plasma folate, those possessing 2 copies of MTHFR mutant alleles had significantly higher homocysteine concentrations than did those with > or = 1 copy of the wild-type allele. Cigarette smoking, daily coffee consumption, and physical inactivity were positively related to plasma homocysteine concentrations in both sexes (P < 0.05). However, these associations disappeared after adjustment for plasma folate concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Age, sex, plasma folate, vitamin B-12 and B-6 concentrations, and MTHFR genotype are independent determinants of plasma homocysteine in middle-aged and older Chinese in Singapore. These factors combined could account for up to 40% of the total variation in homocysteine concentrations in this Asian population.
Authors: Sin Eng Chia; Safiyya Mohamed Ali; Bee Lan Lee; Gek Hsiang Lim; Su Jin; Nguyen-Viet Dong; Nguyen Thi Hong Tu; Choon Nam Ong; Kee Seng Chia Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2007-04-20 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: I O Oliveira; L P Silva; M C Borges; O M Cruz; J W Tessmann; J V S Motta; F K Seixas; B L Horta; D P Gigante Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2016-10-19 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Eliseu Felippe dos Santos; Estela Natacha Brandt Busanello; Anelise Miglioranza; Angela Zanatta; Alethea Gatto Barchak; Carmen Regla Vargas; Jonas Saute; Charles Rosa; Maria Júlia Carrion; Daiane Camargo; André Dalbem; Jaderson Costa da Costa; Sandro René Pinto de Sousa Miguel; Carlos Roberto de Mello Rieder; Moacir Wajner Journal: Metab Brain Dis Date: 2009-03-18 Impact factor: 3.584
Authors: S Hengstermann; G Laemmler; A Hanemann; A Schweter; E Steinhagen-Thiessen; A Lun; R-J Schulz Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2009-02 Impact factor: 4.075