Distribution and determinants of plasma homocysteine levels in rural Chinese twins across the lifespan.

Yuelong Ji,Genfu Tang,Xiangyi Kong,Xiumei Hong,Binyan Wang,Guoying Wang,Zhu Chen,Xin Xu,Yong Huo,Fanfan Hou,Xiaobin Wang,Tami Bartell,Xiping Xu

doi:10.3390/nu6125900

Abstract

Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is a modifiable, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is affected by both environmental and genetic factors. This study aimed to describe the gender- and age-specific distribution of Hcy concentration for 1117 subjects aged 10–66 years, a subset of a community-based rural Chinese twin cohort. In addition, we examined environmental and genetic contributions to variances in Hcy concentration by gender and age groups. We found that the distribution pattern for Hcy varied by both age and gender. Males had higher Hcy than females across all ages. Elevated Hcy was found in 43% of male adults and 13% of female adults. Moreover, nearly one fifth of children had elevated Hcy. Genetic factors could explain 52%, 36% and 69% of the variation in Hcy concentration among children, male adults and female adults, respectively. The MTHFR C677T variant was significantly associated with Hcy concentrations. Smokers with the TT genotype had the highest Hcy levels. Overall, our results indicate that elevated Hcy is prevalent in the children and adults in this rural Chinese population. The early identification of elevated Hcy will offer a window of opportunity for the primary prevention of CVD and metabolic syndrome.

Highlights

Researchers have identified over 200 risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1].Abnormal lipids, abnormal glucose, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking and homocysteine (Hcy) are among the most important factors [1,2]
systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), TG concentrations and fasting glucose concentrations was over 10% in adult males and females
The children groups showed an over 15% prevalence of elevated Hcy concentrations and an over 18% prevalence of high fasting glucose levels

Summary

Introduction

Researchers have identified over 200 risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1]. Abnormal glucose, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking and homocysteine (Hcy) are among the most important factors [1,2]. An elevated Hcy concentration has been considered to be a modifiable, independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) [3]. Elevated plasma Hcy has been associated with components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) [4]. Many of these components are risk factors for CVD. A metabolism study found that homocysteinylation could reduce the protective effect of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)

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