Plasma Homocysteine Concentrations Research Articles

Association between insulin resistance and total plasma homocysteine levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in south west Nigeria

AimTo determine the levels of serum homocysteine and its association with insulin resistance among T2DM patients at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife Nigeria. MethodsIt was a cross sectional study. It involved consecutive recruitment of 100 T2DM subjects with 100 age and sex matched controls. The fasting plasma glucose, serum creatinine, fasting lipid profile, glycosylated haemoglobin levels, fasting serum insulin and plasma homocysteine concentration were done. Insulin resistance was also determined. SPSS version 17.0 was used for data analysis. ResultsThe mean age of subjects was not significantly different from controls. (58.9±8.3 vs. 59.0±8.3years, p=0.926 respectively). Mean Homocysteine level (tHcy) was significantly higher among T2DM subjects compared to controls (27.4±12.1 and 8.3±3.2μmol/L respectively, p=0.0001). Hyperhomocystinaemia was commoner among diabetic subjects compared with controls (81% vs. 5%, p<0.0001). T2DM with hyperhomocystinaemia were more likely to have poorer glucose control profile using glycated haemoglobin (7.4±1.9 vs 6.4±1.4%, p=0.04) and fasting blood glucose 8.6±2.2 vs 7.5±2.4mmol/L p=0.047 and insulin resistance (4.4±4.3 vs. 2.0±0.6, p=0.02) compared with T2DM with normohomocystenaemia. There were significant associations between hyperhomocystinaemic T2DM patients and IR, HbA1c, TC, TG and LDL cholesterol. ConclusionThe study showed higher homocysteine levels in T2DM than controls. Homocysteine level is worsened by increasing insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and poor glucose control. Homocysteine level is a potential cardiovascular risk marker in type 2 diabetic mellitus subjects.

Suboptimal maternal and cord plasma pyridoxal 5' phosphate concentrations are uncommon in a cohort of Canadian pregnant women and newborn infants.

Vitamin B6 is important in fetal development, but little is known of the vitamin B6 status of pregnant women and newborns in North America and potential modifying factors. This prospective study determined maternal and cord plasma concentrations of pyridoxal 5' phosphate (PLP; an indicator of vitamin B6 status) in a convenience sample of 368 Canadian pregnant women and their newborns. The association of maternal intake of vitamin B6 and fetal genetic variants with cord plasma PLP and homocysteine concentrations was also examined. Dietary and supplemental intakes of vitamin B6 were assessed in early and mid to late pregnancy. PLP concentrations were measured in maternal plasma in early pregnancy and at delivery, and in cord plasma. Six fetal variants of the MTHFR and CβS genes were assessed for their association with cord plasma PLP and homocysteine concentrations. Geometric mean (95% CI) PLP concentrations were 107 (98, 116) nmol/L in early pregnancy and 58 (53, 62) nmol/L at delivery, respectively, and 296 (275, 319) nmol/L in cord blood (p<.0001). During early pregnancy and at delivery, 3.6% and 5.5% of women had plasma PLP concentrations <20nmol/L, respectively. Ninety eight percent of the women with supplemental B6 intake of at least the recommended dietary allowance had PLP concentrations >20nmol/L. Fetal genetic variants were not associated with cord PLP and homocysteine concentrations. Vitamin B6 deficiency is uncommon in a cohort of Canadian pregnant women due largely to prevalent vitamin B6 supplement use.

Correlation between plasma homocysteine levels and craving in alcohol dependent stabilized patients

Homocysteine is a sulfur amino acid strictly related with alcohol consumption. In alcoholics, hyperhomocysteinemia can increase the risk of various alcohol-related disorders such as: brain atrophy, epileptic seizures during withdrawal, and mood disorders. To evaluate the correlation among serum homocysteine concentrations, craving, hazardous and harmful patterns of alcohol consumption in patients stabilized for withdrawal symptoms. Participants were adult outpatients accessed at the Addiction Treatment Unit. Alcoholism was assessed using the following tools: Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus (MINI Plus), Alcohol Use Disorder Identification test (AUDIT), Visual Analogic Scale for craving (VAS). Furthermore, during the first visit a blood sample was taken from all patients to measure the plasma concentration of both homocysteine and Carboxy Deficient Transferrin (CDT). Differences between groups in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed using the t-test and the Mann-Whitney's U test for normally and non-normally distributed data, respectively. Correlation between clinical scale scores and plasma concentration of homocysteine and CDT was evaluated using the Pearson's correlation coefficient and the Kendall's Tau-b bivariate correlation coefficient for normally and non-normally distributed data, respectively. Our study included 92 patients. No difference was found in socio-demographic characteristics between groups. The group with high homocysteine had higher prevalence of mood disorders (p<0.001), plasma CDT percentage (p<0.001), VAS score (p<0.001) and AUDIT score (p<0.001) than group with normal homocysteine. Plasma homocysteine showed a positive correlation with both VAS score (p<0.001), and AUDIT score (p<0.05). In our study, plasma homocysteine concentration is associated with craving, hazardous and harmful patterns of alcohol consumption. In particular, homocysteine is correlated with alcoholism in a bidirectional manner because its level appears to be related with alcohol degree, but simultaneously, hyperhomocysteinemia could enhance the alcohol consumption increasing the severity of craving in a circular self reinforcing mechanism.

Provision of folic acid for reducing arsenic toxicity in arsenic-exposed children and adults

Provision of folic acid for reducing arsenic toxicity in arsenic-exposed children and adults

Edoxaban improves venous thrombosis via increasing hydrogen sulfide and homocysteine in rat model.

Anticoagulant therapy is prescribed to millions of patients worldwide for the prevention and treatment of venous thrombosis. Evidence has indicated that edoxaban is a potential drug of oral anticoagulant in the acute treatment of venous thromboembolism. Hydrogen sulfide and homocysteine plasma concentration are indicators of cardiovascular and neurovascular disease risk factors that have attracted considerable attention for regulation of vascular health and homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanism of edoxaban‑mediated differences of hydrogen sulfide and homocysteine has not been investigated in the progression of venous thrombosis. In the present study, the authors analyzed the phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway in the vein endothelial cells and expression levels of hydrogen sulfide and homocysteine. Homocysteine‑hydrogen sulfide metabolism through transsulfuration and that transsulfuration capacity and hydrogen sulfide availability have been investigated both invitro and invivo following treatment with edoxaban. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation and cystathionine β‑synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ‑lyase (CGL) levels were studied in a cell model and rat model of vein thrombosis prior and post treatment of edoxaban. The therapeutic effects of edoxaban for rats with vein thrombosis were determined by clinical diagnose scores. The results demonstrated that edoxaban increased expression levels of hydrogen sulfide and homocysteine in microvascular endothelial cells. It was observed that the transsulfuration enzymes, CBS and CGL levels were upregulated in murine microvascular endothelial cells. The MMP‑9 expression level and activity and homocysteine‑hydrogen sulfide metabolism were increased in murine microvascular endothelial cells following edoxaban treatment. In addition, CBS and CGL activities were upregulated in murine microvascular endothelial cells and a rat model of venous thrombosis following treatment with edoxaban. Furthermore, it was observed that edoxaban increased PI3K and AKT expression both invitro and invivo. In addition, edoxaban significantly improved endothelial injury and inhibited thrombosis factors expression in rat model of venous thrombosis. In conclusion, these findings suggested that edoxaban can improve venous thrombosis by decreasing hydrogen sulfide and homocysteine through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

An UPLC-MSMS method to measure plasma homocysteine concentration.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is monitored in a growing number of diseases and requires a rapid and reliable method to measure its concentration in routine practice. We validated a new mass spectrometry method to measure plasma Hcy concentration and to determinate our own targeted concentrations according to COFRAC (French accreditation committee) recommendations. We collected the Hcy concentrations measured in the laboratory from 2014 to 2015 and we compared the values between different clinical groups. We obtained excellent performances of reproducibility, sensitivity (coefficient of variation <10%). We determined new ranges of normal values 12.4 [11.8-13.0] μmol/L. This new method is thus rapid, robust and suitable for its use in routine practice to respond to the increase of prescriptions.

Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy Improves Neurobehavioral Development in Rat Offspring.

Maternal folate status during pregnancy may influence central nervous system (CNS) development in offspring. However, the recommended intakes of folic acid for women of childbearing age differ among countries and there is still no consensus about whether folic acid should be supplemented continuously throughout pregnancy. We hypothesized that folic acid supplementation may be more beneficial for offspring's neurobehavioral development if prolonged throughout pregnancy instead of being limited to the periconceptional period. In this study, three groups of the female rats were fed folate-normal, folate-deficient, or folate-supplemented diets throughout pregnancy. In another group, the female rats were fed folate-supplemented diet from mating for 10 consecutive days and then fed folate-normal diet for remainder days of pregnancy. The results showed that maternal folate deficiency increased plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration in dams, delayed early sensory-motor reflex development, impaired spatial learning and memory ability, and caused ultrastructural damages in the hippocampus of offspring. Maternal folic acid supplementation would be more effective on improving early sensory-motor reflex development and spatial learning and memory ability in offspring if prolonged throughout pregnancy instead of being limited to the periconceptional period. In conclusion, prolonged maternal folic acid supplementation throughout pregnancy would be more effective in neurobehavioral development of offspring in rats.

Plasma homocysteine levels are associated with macular thickness in type 2 diabetes without diabetic macular edema.

To explore the relationships between macular thickness and the plasma concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, and other known risk factors for patients with diabetes without diabetic macular edema (DME). Fasting venous blood samples were collected from 252 subjects (126 relatively healthy subjects with type 2 diabetes without diabetic macular edema and 126 age- and gender-matched controls). Measurement of macular thickness and volume was performed for those subjects using SD-OCT. The plasma concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, and other known risk factors were analyzed in all the patients and controls using multiple linear regression models. An increase in the serum levels of homocysteine was present within patients with type 2 diabetes compared to healthy individuals. The mean total plasma homocysteine levels were associated with a greater central subfield macular thickness (CSMT), average macular thickness (AMT), and average macular volume (AMV) in patients with type 2 diabetes without DME, after adjusting for age, sex, duration of diabetes, and HbA1c. Each 1mmol/L increase in tHcy level was associated with a 6.57µm greater CSMT (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78, 11.36), a 4.51µm greater AMT (95% CI 1.05, 7.98), and a 4.72mm3 greater AMV (95% CI 1.23, 8.21). Higher homocysteine levels were associated with an increased CSMT, AMT, and AMV in diabetic patients without DME. This link may indicate that patients with type 2 diabetes with increased levels of plasma tHcy are more prone to develop a clinical manifestation of DME.

Association between plasma homocysteine concentration and the risk of all-cause death in adults with diastolic dysfunction in a community: A 13-year cohort study.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCYS) has been associated with systolic heart failure. However, it is still unknown that serum homocycsteine level was useful in predicting the outcome in patients with diastolic dysfunction. We conducted a cohort study to determine if HHCYS was associated with poor prognosis in diastolic dysfunction patients. The Chin-Shan Community Cardiovascular Cohort (CCCC) study was designated to investigate the trends of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a community. Individuals who were 35 years and above were enrolled. Participants were categorized by homocysteine concentration quartiles. We used multivariate Cox proportional hazards models to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) of the 4th quartiles versus the 1st quartile. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was to compare prediction measures. A total of 2020 participants had completed the echocardiography examination, and 231 individuals were diagnosed as diastolic dysfunction. A total 75 participants had died during follow-up period. HHCYS was found to be significantly associated with poor prognosis. The adjusted HR for homocysteine level was 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.14). Participants in the highest quartile had a 1.90 (95% CI, 0.88–4.12, P for trend, .026) fold risk for all cause death, compared with those in the lowest quartiles. The HR was 1.88 (95% CI, 1.07–3.29) using 11.11 μmol/L as cut point for hyperhomocysteine. HHCYS was significantly associated with poor prognosis in diastolic dysfunction participants in the community.

Mthfr Allele distribution in Romanian schizophrenia patients

IntroductionCurrently available data on the aetiology of schizophrenia suggests a major involvement of epigenetic mechanisms. One such mechanism could be the alteration of activation and silencing of genes, which involves DNA methylation and de-methylation. The main limiting enzyme involved in the methyl-donor cycle is methylene-tetra-hydro-folate-reductase (MTHFR), and the most frequently observed mutation in the MTHFR gene, altering its activity, is the C677 T mutation.AimIn the present study, we investigated the frequency of MTHFR C677 T mutation and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in a sample of Romanian schizophrenia patients as compared to healthy controls.MethodsSeventy schizophrenia patients (35% females) with a mean age of 38.8 ± 20.5 years and 50 healthy controls (50% females) with a mean age of 36.3 ± 11.6 years were included. MTHFR genotype was determined through polymerase chain reaction and tHcy levels were determined through reversed phase high-pressure liquid chromatography.ResultsSchizophrenia patients, registered higher frequency of the T allele, with the CC genotype observed in 39.4% of them, as compared to a frequency of 60.6% in the control group (P = 0.002–Fisher's exact test). tHcy concentrations did not differ between the two groups (10.7 ± 4.2 vs. 11.2 ± 4.1, P &gt; 0.005–Mann–Whitney U test).ConclusionsRomanian schizophrenia patients have a significantly higher frequency of the MTHFR C677 T mutation, but without significant effect on tHcy concentrations.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

High folate and low vitamin B12 status during pregnancy is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus

B-vitamins and homocysteine may contribute to the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but existing studies are inconsistent. We examined the cross-sectional associations of plasma folate, vitamins B6, B12, and homocysteine concentrations with GDM and glycemia in a sample of multi-ethnic Asian pregnant women. Plasma concentrations of folate, vitamins B6, B12, homocysteine and glucose were measured at 26-weeks' gestation in 913 pregnant women. GDM was diagnosed using the 1999 World Health Organization criteria. Associations were examined with linear or logistic regression, adjusted for confounders and stratified by ethnicity. Higher plasma folate was associated with higher 2-h glucose and higher odds of GDM [0.15 (0.02, 0.23) per 1-SD increment in folate, OR 1.29 (1.00, 1.60)], mainly among Indian mothers. Higher plasma vitamin B12 and homocysteine were associated with lower fasting and 2-h glucose, and lower odds of GDM [-0.04 (-0.07,-0.01) per 1-SD increment in B12 and-0.09 (-0.18,-0.003) respectively, OR: 0.81 (0.68, 0.97);-0.05 (-0.08,-0.02) per 1-SD increment in homocysteine and-0.12 (-0.21,-0.02) respectively, OR: 0.76 (0.62, 0.92)]. The highest odds of GDM were observed among women with combined vitamin B12 insufficiency and high folate concentration [OR: 1.97 (1.05, 3.68)]. An association between higher vitamin B6 and higher 2-h glucose shifted towards null adjusting for other B-vitamins. Higher maternal folate coupled with vitamin B12 insufficiency was associated with higher GDM risk. This finding has potential implications for antenatal supplement recommendations but will require confirmation in future studies.

Vitamin B12 and Homocysteine Associations with Gait Speed in Older Adults: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

This study aimed to assess the independent associations of serum levels of vitamin B12 and plasma concentrations of homocysteine with gait speed decline. This study utilized longitudinal analysis of participants 50 years or older from The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, N=774. Gait speed (m/s) was assessed using the 6-meter usual pace test. Vitamin B12 and homocysteine concentrations were collected using standard clinical protocols. Linear mixed effects regression was stratified by baseline age category (50-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years old). Mean follow-up time for the total study sample was 5.4 ± 2.0 years. No association between vitamin B12 and gait speed decline over the follow-up time for any age group was found. Elevated homocysteine concentrations were associated with decline in gait speed after adjustment for covariates (50-69: β= -0.005, p=.057; 70-79: β= -0.013, p<.001, ≥80: β= -0.007, p=.054). Homocysteine and vitamin B12 are inversely related, yet only homocysteine was associated with gait speed decline in this population of healthy older adults. Given these results, future research should be directed towards investigating the relationship in populations with greater variation in vitamin B12 concentrations and other mechanisms influencing homocysteine concentrations.

Vitamin B-6, Independent of Homocysteine, Is a Significant Factor in Relation to Inflammatory Responses for Chronic Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis Patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether plasma pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) and homocysteine were dependent on or independent of each other in order to be associated with inflammatory markers in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or those receiving hemodialysis treatment. This was a cross-sectional study. Sixty-eight stage 2–5 CKD patients and 68 hemodialysis patients had one time fasting blood drawn for measurements of plasma PLP, pyridoxal (PL), homocysteine, and several inflammatory markers. Early CKD stage (stages 2-3) patients showed significantly lower plasma PLP levels and homocysteine concentrations than patients in an advanced CKD stage (stages 4-5) and those undergoing hemodialysis. Plasma PLP significantly correlated with CRP levels (partial rs = −0.21, p < 0.05) and plasma PL significantly correlated with IL-10 levels (partial rs = −0.24, p < 0.01), while plasma PLP plus PL significantly correlated with both CRP levels (partial rs = −0.20, p < 0.05) and interleukin-1β (partial rs = 0.22, p < 0.05) levels after adjusting for plasma homocysteine and other potential confounders. Plasma homocysteine displayed no significant correlations with any inflammatory markers. Vitamin B-6 status, rather than homocysteine, appeared to be a significant factor in relation to inflammatory responses for CKD and hemodialysis patients.

Folate and Vitamin B12-Related Biomarkers in Relation to Brain Volumes.

Aim: We investigated cross-sectional associations between circulating homocysteine, folate, biomarkers of vitamin B12 status and brain volumes. We furthermore compared brain volumes of participants who received daily folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation with participants who did not. Methods: Participants of the B-PROOF study (n = 2919) were assigned to 400 µg folic acid and 500 µg vitamin B12, or a placebo. After two years of intervention, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were made in a random subsample (n = 218) to obtain grey and white matter volume, and total brain volume (TBV). Plasma homocysteine, serum folate, vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin, and methylmalonic acid concentrations were measured. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses showed inverse associations between plasma homocysteine with TBV (β = −0.91, 95% CI −1.85–0.03; p = 0.06) and between serum folate and TBV (β = −0.20, 95% CI −0.38, −0.02; p = 0.03). No significant associations were observed for serum vitamin B12 and holotranscobalamin. Fully adjusted ANCOVA models showed that the group that received B-vitamins had a lower TBV (adjusted mean 1064, 95% CI 1058–1069 mL) than the non-supplemented group (1072, 95% CI 1067–1078 mL, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Results were contradictory, with higher Hcy levels associated with lower TBV, but also with higher folate levels associated with lower TBV. In addition, the lack of a baseline measurement withholds us from giving recommendations on whether folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation will be beneficial above and beyond normal dietary intake for brain health.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials on the Effects of Statin and Fibrate Therapies on Plasma Homocysteine Levels.

Plasma homocysteine is an independent non-traditional risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The impact of statin therapy on plasma homocysteine is not conclusive. To evaluate the effect of statin therapy on plasma homocysteine concentrations in a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. The secondary aim was to assess the comparative effect of statins versus fibrates on plasma homocysteine levels in head-to-head trials. PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were searched (from the first reports to March 07, 2016) to identify controlled trials evaluating the impact of statins on plasma homocysteine concentrations. A systematic assessment of bias in the included studies was performed using the Cochrane criteria. A random-effects model and generic inverse variance method were used for quantitative data synthesis. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out method. Random-effects meta-regression was performed using unrestricted maximum likelihood method to evaluate the impact of potential moderators. Meta-analysis of data from 7 studies did not suggest a significant alteration in plasma homocysteine concentrations following treatment with statins compared with the control group (WMD: -0.59 μmol/L, 95% CI: -1.66, 0.48, p=0.279; I2=52.53%). However, meta-analysis of 9 studies suggested a significantly greater reduction of plasma homocysteine concentrations with statins compared with fenofibrate (WMD: -4.81 μmol/L, 95% CI: -5.39, -4.23, p<0.001; I2=0%). Results of both analyses were robust in the sensitivity analysis. Statin therapy is not associated with a significant alteration of plasma homocysteine levels, while fenofibrate increases the homocysteine levels when compared with statins.

Inhibitory effect of homocysteine on rat neural stem cell growth in vitro is associated with reduced protein levels and enzymatic activities of aconitase and respiratory complex III.

Increased blood plasma concentration of the sulphur amino acid homocysteine (Hcy) is considered as an independent risk factor of the neurodegenerative diseases. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms by which Hcy leads to neurotoxicity have yet to be clarified. Recent research has suggested that neurotoxicity of Hcy may involve negative regulation of neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation. In the current study, primary NSCs were isolated from neonatal rat brain hippocampus and the inhibition in cell growth was observed after exposure to l50μM and 500μML-Hcy. The changes in protein expression were monitored with densitometric 2D-gel electrophoresis coupled with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Proteomic analysis revealed that the expression levels of two mitochondrial proteins, cytochrome bc1 complex2 (UQCRC2, the major component of electron transport chain complex III) and aconitase (an enzyme involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle), were decreased in Hcy treatment group, compared to control group. Protein expression was further verified by Western blot, and their enzymatic activities were also down-regulated in NSCs after Hcy treatment. Restoration of aconitase and UQCRC2 protein levels using their expression vectors could partly rescue the cell viability inhibition caused by Hcy. Moreover, Hcy caused the increase in the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the decrease in ATP content, which are known to play important roles in the cellular stress response of the cell growth. Altogether, the results suggest that the decreased expression and enzymatic activities of the mitochondrial proteins may be possible causes of the overproduction of ROS and depletion of ATP. The inhibition in cell growth at the end of Hcy treatment was probably due to the changes in protein expression and mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro cultures of NSCs.

MTRR rs326119 polymorphism is associated with plasma concentrations of homocysteine and cobalamin, but not with congenital heart disease or coronary atherosclerosis in Brazilian patients

BackgroundDifferences in the distribution of the MTRR rs326119 polymorphism (c.56+781 A>C) between patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and controls have been described in Chinese individuals. The association is thought to be due to deregulation of homocysteine-cobalamin pathways. This has not been replicated in other populations. The primary objective of this study was to assess the influence of the MTRR rs326119 polymorphism on biochemical parameters of vitamin B12 metabolism, coronary lesions, and congenital heart disease in Brazilian subjects. MethodsWe selected 722 patients with CHD, 1432 patients who underwent coronary angiography, and 156 blood donors. Genotyping for the MTRR polymorphism was evaluated by high-resolution melting analysis, and biochemical tests of vitamin B12 metabolism were measured. ResultsSubjects carrying the AC or CC genotypes had higher homocysteine concentrations (9.7±0.4μmol/L and 10.1±0.6μmol/L) and lower cobalamin concentrations (260.5±13.3pmol/L and 275.6±19.9pmol/L) compared with the subjects carrying the AA genotype (8.7±0.5μmol/L and 304.8±14.7pmol/L), respectively. A multiple linear regression model also identified a significant association between the number of C variant alleles with the concentrations of homocysteine and cobalamin. Nonetheless, the allelic and genotypic distributions for MTRR rs326119 were not associated with CHD or coronary atherosclerosis in the studied samples. ConclusionOur findings indicate that the MTRR rs326119 variant might be a genetic marker associated with homocysteine and cobalamin concentrations, but not a strong risk factor for CHD or coronary atherosclerosis in the Brazilian population.

Effects of Two-Year Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Elevated Homocysteine Concentrations: Additional Results from the B-PROOF Study, an RCT.

Lowering elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations by supplementing vitamin B12 and folic acid may reduce depressive symptoms and improve health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in older adults. This study aimed to test this hypothesis in a randomized controlled trial. Participants (N = 2919, ≥65 years, Hcy concentrations ≥12 µmol/L) received either 500 µg vitamin B12 and 400 µg folic acid daily or placebo for two years. Both tablets contained 15 µg vitamin D3. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15). HR-QoL was assessed with the SF-12 Mental and Physical component summary scores and the EQ-5D Index score and Visual Analogue Scale. Differences in two-year change scores were analyzed with Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Hcy concentrations decreased more in the intervention group, but two-year change scores of the GDS-15 and three of four HR-QoL measures did not differ between groups. The EQ-5D Index score declined less in the intervention group than in the placebo group (mean change 0.00 vs. −0.02, p = 0.004). In conclusion, two-year supplementation with vitamin B12 and folic acid in older adults with hyperhomocysteinemia showed that lowering Hcy concentrations does not reduce depressive symptoms, but it may have a small positive effect on HR-QoL.

Hyperhomocysteinaemia in children receiving phenytoin and carbamazepine monotherapy: a cross-sectional observational study

ObjectiveLong-term therapy with phenytoin and carbamazepine is known to cause hyperhomocysteinaemia. We evaluated the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia in North Indian children receiving phenytoin or carbamazepine monotherapy for >6 months duration...

The study on the effect of ginkgo biloba extract on homocysteine and serum lipids concentration of patients with severe OSAHS

Objective:To investigate the effects of ginkgo biloba extract on plasma homocysteine and blood lipid concentration of patients with severe OSAHS.Method:One hundred and forty cases of severe OSAHS patients were selected with means of multichannel sleep monitor, and were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.Both the two groups of patients were given basic treatment.In addition, the treatment group was given ginkgo biloba extract injection. The changes of Hcy and lipid concentrations of the two groups of patients after treatment were tested.Result:After 10 days of treatment, peripheral serum Hcy, total cholesterol (total cholesterol, TC), total triglyceride(total triglycerides, TG concentration) in both two groups decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0 .05), and above parameters in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group.Conclusion:Intravenous infusion of ginkgo biloba extract can further reduce the serum Hcy and serum lipid concentration in patients with OSAHS.