Association of Homocysteine Levels With Blood Lead Levels and Micronutrients in the US General Population / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Even though several epidemiological studies have observed positive associations between blood lead levels and homocysteine, no study has examined whether this association differs by the levels of micronutrients, such as folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, which are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine. In this study, we examined the interactions between micronutrients and blood lead on homocysteine levels. METHODS: This study was performed with 4089 adults aged > or =20 years old in the US general population using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004. RESULTS: There were significant or marginally significant interactions between micronutrients and blood lead levels on mean homocysteine levels. Positive associations between blood lead and homocysteine were clearly observed among subjects with low levels of folate or low vitamin B6 (p-trend 15 micromol/L) as the outcome, there were similar patterns of interaction, though p-values for each interaction failed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, the association between blood lead and homocysteine differed based on the levels of folate, vitamin B6, or vitamin B12 present in the blood. It may be important to keep sufficient levels of these micronutrients to prevent the possible harmful effects of lead exposure on homocysteine levels.

role of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate with simple sugars on cardiovascular diseases prediction in rats

The objective of the present study is to assess the effect of different dietary simple sugars [sucrose, glucose and fructose] on the prediction of cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk factors, with regard to supplementation with high dose of vitamin B6 [500 mg/100 g diet] in the form of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate [PLP]. It was concluded that, long term consumption of high carbohydrate diets increase the prediction of CVD by increasing plasma TG, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels. Dietary glucose was the best sugar used for substitution of starch, while fructose is considered as a risk factor for CVD. Plasma albumin showed little association with CVD. Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and glucose in combination act in a synergistic manner through highly significant reduction in plasma LDL-C and significantly increase HDL-C levels throughout the first and second periods of the experiment. Supplementation with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate did not affect the plasma glucose levels on 21 days, but improves and normalizes the platelets count, and reduces the elevated TG levels via several mechanisms, and hence, reduces the risk factors leading to CVD

Plasma homocysteine levels and vitamin B status in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome

To determine and compare the plasma levels of homocysteine and vitamin B [B6, B12 and folate] in patients with Pseudoexfoliation syndrome [PEXS], pseudoexfoliation glaucoma [PEXG], retinal vein occlusion with pseudoexfoliation [PEX+RVO] and in normal individuals. The current study was conducted in the Third Eye Clinic, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, between August 2004 and February 2005. Twenty cases with PEXS [Group 1], 20 cases with PEXG [Group 2], 16 cases with PEX+RVO [central or branch retinal vein occlusion] [Group 3] and 20 normal individuals [control group] were included in the study. Those who use vitamin supplements or drugs affecting the plasma homocysteine levels were excluded from the study. Plasma homocysteine levels were 17.6 +/- 4.4 mmol/l in Group 1, 18.5 +/- 4.5 mmol/l in Group 2, 22.2 +/- 6.0 mmol/l in Group 3, and 14.0 +/- 3.1 mmol/l in the control group. It was highest in Group 3 [p<0.001]. The ratio of hyperhomocysteinemia was calculated as 35% [Group 1], 45% [Group 2], 68.7% [Groups 3] and 15% [control]. These values were statistically higher in the groups with PEXS than in the control group [p=0.009]. We did not find any statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to the levels of vitamin B6 and B12 [p>0.05], but the level of folate was lowest in Group 3 [p<0.001]. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for thromboembolic vasculopathy in patients with PEXS and PEXG. Therefore, vitamin B supplementation should be considered in these patients when hyperhomocysteinemia is detected