Surveillance analysis of the effects of dietary and lifestyle determinants on plasma homocysteine levels by combining the MTHFR C677T polymorphism in a rural North Indian population

Abstract

AimThe objective of the present study was to understand the effect of dietary and lifestyle determinants on plasma homocysteine levels by combining the MTHFR C677T polymorphism in a rural North Indian population. MethodsA total of 1634 participants were recruited under a major government sponsored research project through door to door survey. The participants (both men and women and aged 30–65 years) were recruited from a Mendelian population. Of these 1459 participants were considered for the present analysis, as they were neither on any kind of medication for high blood pressure, CAD, diabetes or any other disorder nor did they have any missing data. Informed written consent was obtained from all the participants. Data on dietary and other lifestyle factors was collected in face-to-face interview through structured interview schedules. 5 ml of intravenous blood was collected from all the participants for biochemical and molecular analysis. Homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 analysis was estimated through Immulite 1000 by chemiluminescence technique. Genetic variation in the MTHFR C677T genotype was analyzed using PCR-RFLP technique. ResultThe prevalence of hyperhomocystenemia (Hyphcy), folate and vitamin B12 deficiency was found to be 69.92%, 32.53% and 57.86% respectively. 677 T allele of MTHFR was found to be associated with Hyphcy. Men had significantly higher levels of homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 as compared to the women. Age was found to be positively associated with homocysteine levels among women. Lifestyle determinants were found to be associated with increased risk for Hyphcy among the men. ConclusionThe findings reveal that there is high frequency of vitamin B12 levels deficiency and Hyphcy in the studied population. This is likely to contribute to increased susceptibility to numerous disorders. Therefore, it is the need of the hour that the general population is made aware of the benefits of consumption of vitamin B12 rich foods and the same is promoted in the population.