BACKGROUND: Methylmalonic acid (MMA) in plasma or serum is widely used for assessment of vitamin B(12) status. However, data are sparse regarding factors, besides renal function, that may influence MMA concentrations. We searched for important determinants of plasma MMA in the general population. METHODS: In 6946 middle-aged (47-49 years) and elderly (71-74 years) individuals from the Hordaland Homocysteine Study in Norway, we collected anthropometric measurements, lifestyle data, and plasma MMA, vitamin B(12), and creatinine measurements. For 5820 individuals, we also collected dietary data. RESULTS: Age and plasma creatinine were positively associated with plasma MMA, whereas plasma vitamin B(12) was negatively associated. These variables together with sex were the strongest determinants of plasma MMA, accounting for 16% of the variation (R(2) = 0.16). Addition of anthropometric measures and lifestyle and dietary factors only gave slight improvement (total R(2) = 0.167). Increased plasma MMA was seen when plasma vitamin B(12) was <400 pmol/L. In individuals with vitamin B(12) >or =400 micromol/L (vitamin B(12)-replete), the 2.5th-97.5th percentile reference limits for MMA were 0.10-0.28 micromol/L (middle-aged) and 0.10-0.36 micromol/L (elderly). When plotted against creatinine (nomograms), the 97.5th percentile of MMA was similar in men and women but approximately 0.15 micromol/L higher in elderly than middle-aged individuals. Vitamin B(12)-replete participants had MMA upper limits approximately 0.1 micromol/L (elderly) and 0.04 micromol/L (middle-aged) below those of the unselected population at all creatinine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Identified determinants accounted for <17% of the overall variation in plasma MMA. The difference in MMA between middle-aged and elderly individuals is only partly explained by creatinine and vitamin B(12) concentrations.
BACKGROUND:Methylmalonic acid (MMA) in plasma or serum is widely used for assessment of vitamin B(12) status. However, data are sparse regarding factors, besides renal function, that may influence MMA concentrations. We searched for important determinants of plasma MMA in the general population. METHODS: In 6946 middle-aged (47-49 years) and elderly (71-74 years) individuals from the Hordaland Homocysteine Study in Norway, we collected anthropometric measurements, lifestyle data, and plasma MMA, vitamin B(12), and creatinine measurements. For 5820 individuals, we also collected dietary data. RESULTS: Age and plasma creatinine were positively associated with plasma MMA, whereas plasma vitamin B(12) was negatively associated. These variables together with sex were the strongest determinants of plasma MMA, accounting for 16% of the variation (R(2) = 0.16). Addition of anthropometric measures and lifestyle and dietary factors only gave slight improvement (total R(2) = 0.167). Increased plasma MMA was seen when plasma vitamin B(12) was <400 pmol/L. In individuals with vitamin B(12) >or =400 micromol/L (vitamin B(12)-replete), the 2.5th-97.5th percentile reference limits for MMA were 0.10-0.28 micromol/L (middle-aged) and 0.10-0.36 micromol/L (elderly). When plotted against creatinine (nomograms), the 97.5th percentile of MMA was similar in men and women but approximately 0.15 micromol/L higher in elderly than middle-aged individuals. Vitamin B(12)-replete participants had MMA upper limits approximately 0.1 micromol/L (elderly) and 0.04 micromol/L (middle-aged) below those of the unselected population at all creatinine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Identified determinants accounted for <17% of the overall variation in plasma MMA. The difference in MMA between middle-aged and elderly individuals is only partly explained by creatinine and vitamin B(12) concentrations.
Authors: J P van Wijngaarden; R A M Dhonukshe-Rutten; E M Brouwer-Brolsma; A W Enneman; K M A Swart; S C van Dijk; P H In 't Veld; N M van Schoor; N van der Velde; R de Jonge; P Lips; A G Uitterlinden; L C P G M de Groot Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2017 Impact factor: 4.075
Authors: Regan L Bailey; Ralph Carmel; Ralph Green; Christine M Pfeiffer; Mary E Cogswell; John D Osterloh; Christopher T Sempos; Elizabeth A Yetley Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2011-06-15 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Regan L Bailey; Ramon A Durazo-Arvizu; Ralph Carmel; Ralph Green; Christine M Pfeiffer; Christopher T Sempos; Alicia Carriquiry; Elizabeth A Yetley Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2013-06-26 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Shinyoung Jun; Alexandra E Cowan; Anindya Bhadra; Kevin W Dodd; Johanna T Dwyer; Heather A Eicher-Miller; Jaime J Gahche; Patricia M Guenther; Nancy Potischman; Janet A Tooze; Regan L Bailey Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2020-05-29 Impact factor: 4.022
Authors: Anne M Molloy; Faith Pangilinan; James L Mills; Barry Shane; Mary B O'Neill; David M McGaughey; Aneliya Velkova; Hatice Ozel Abaan; Per M Ueland; Helene McNulty; Mary Ward; J J Strain; Conal Cunningham; Miriam Casey; Cheryl D Cropp; Yoonhee Kim; Joan E Bailey-Wilson; Alexander F Wilson; Lawrence C Brody Journal: Am J Hum Genet Date: 2016-04-28 Impact factor: 11.025