Rs6586282 of the CBS Gene: Its Lack of Eff ect on Homocysteine Concentrations, and Interaction Eff ects on Body Weight in Elderly Women.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of the rs6586282 polymorphism of the cystathionine-ß-synthase (CBS) gene, and of the intake of B vitamins on anthropometric parameters, tHcy levels, and lipoprotein levels in women over 60 years of age. 122 volunteers were supplemented with 400 µg/day folic acid for 8 weeks. The intake of B vitamins above the median value was associated with lower levels of blood biomarkers: folate with tHcy post supplementation (6.21 ± 0.24 µM vs 7.11 ± 0.32 µM; p < 0.05), vitamin B6 with baseline triacylglycerol (TAG, 107.3 ± 5.5 mg/dL vs 127.2 ± 6.4 mg/dL; p < 0.05) and glucose (82.3 ± 1.1 mg/dL vs 86.9 ± 1.5 mg/dL; p < 0.05); and vitamin B12 with baseline TAG (106.8 ± 5.5 mg/dL vs 127.7 ± 6.3 mg/dL; p < 0.01). Women with a T allele consuming lower amounts of folate had higher body weight (72.3 ± 2.3 kg vs 64.0 ± 1.7 kg; p < 0.05), body mass index (28.7 ± 0.8 vs 25.2 ± 0.7; p < 0.05), waist (0.90 ± 0.02 m vs 0.82 ± 0.01 m; p < 0.01), and hip circumference (1.08 ± 0.02 vs 1.02 ± 0.01 m; p < 0.01) than the CC homozygotes. Intake of vitamin B6 or B12 may infl uence blood TAG and glucose concentrations in elderly women, but the rs6586282 polymorphism of the CBS gene does not alter either tHcy or the effectiveness of folic acid supplementation. The CBS SNP at rs6586282 may infl uence anthropometric parameters, though only in case of low folate intake.

Elderly women: homocysteine reduction by short-term folic acid supplementation resulting in increased glucose concentrations and affecting lipid metabolism (C677T MTHFR polymorphism).

OBJECTIVE: Serum homocysteine levels show interindividual variation and are determined by nutritional factors, such as B-vitamin intake, and by age and genetic influences, such as the genotype of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Recently, the relation between one-carbon and lipid metabolism has been shown. Therefore, we hypothesized that folic acid supplementation would not only decrease homocysteine concentrations but also affect lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of short-term folic acid supplementation on homocysteine and lipid metabolism in Polish women older than 60 y with different C677T MTHFR genotypes. METHODS: One hundred twenty-two volunteers were supplemented with folic acid 400 µg/d for 8 wk. Folate intake was assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire. The serum homocysteine level was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Serum biomarkers were measured with a Vitalab Flexor biochemical analyzer. MTHFR genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: In the studied group, the MTHFR genotype frequencies were 0.14 for TT, 0.43 for CT, 0.43 for CC carriers. At baseline, the average folic acid and homocysteine concentrations were 12.16 ± 0.23 ng/mL and 7.94 ± 0.3 µmol/L, respectively. Folic acid supplementation lowered the serum homocysteine concentration. However, the dietary intervention also led to an increase in glucose concentrations (P < 0.01). The T-allele carriers had a larger waist circumference (P < 0.05) and a higher waist-to-hip ratio (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly women, a short-term, low-dose folic acid supplementation lowered the serum homocysteine level but also increased glucose concentrations. The C677T MTHFR polymorphism affects the waist-to-hip ratio and lipid metabolism.

[Evaluation of anxiety and depression in the perioperative period in patients subjected to myocardial revascularization]. / Ocena leku i depresji w okresie okolooperacyjnym u pacjentów poddawanych rewaskularyzacji miesnia sercowego.

AIM: The aim of the paper is to define a relationship between the anxiety level and depression intensification, as well as to define the impact of: age, sex, education level and family situation on the anxiety level and depression intensification in the pre- and postoperative period in patients subjected to myocardial revascularisation (CABG). METHOD: Prospective studies were carried out in a group of 100 patients qualified for the surgical myocardial revascularisation in the planned course. The Polish version of the STAI questionnaire was applied to study anxiety as a state and as a trait. Depression intensification was evaluated with the Beck depression scale. RESULTS: 1. The intensity of depression significantly correlates with anxiety as a state and anxiety as a trait before and after CABG surgery. 2. When assessing anxiety as a state, its negative correlation with male patients and with age before CABG were found. A negative correlation of anxiety as a state with a patient's age was identified after CABG. 3. When assessing anxiety as a trait, its negative correlation with male patients before CABG was found. 4. The intensity of depression correlates significantly and negatively with the educational background of the patient before and after CABG surgery. 5. There is no statistically significant correlation between anxiety, depression and family situation in the perioperative period.

Depression in premenopausal women: gonadal hormones and serotonergic system assessed by D-fenfluramine challenge test.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the activity of gonadal hormones and serotonergic system in premenopausal women with or without depression in relation to clinical and hormonal indices of menopause. METHODS: The sample included 60 women with single or recurrent major depressive episode with disease onset after 38 year of age (mean age 43 years) and 30 healthy control women (mean age 41 years). Psychometric assessment was done by means of 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The presence of menopausal symptoms was assessed by Kupperman Menopause Index (KMI). Activity of gonadal axis was measured by estimating estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. For the assessment of central serotonergic activity, the D-fenfluramine test was used. RESULTS: Depressed women had higher intensity of menopausal symptoms, significantly lower concentration of estradiol, and higher of FSH than control women. Severity of depression correlated with both the intensity of menopausal symptoms and the concentration of FSH. Baseline levels of prolactin were not different in both groups. Following D-fenfluramine administration, there was a significant increase in prolactin concentration in healthy women and a transient decrease in depressed ones. Baseline cortisol level was significantly higher in depressed women and correlated with the severity of depression. D-Fenfluramine challenge caused a significant increase of cortisol secretion in healthy women and a significant decrease in depressed ones. A relationship was observed between baseline estradiol, FSH, and cortisol level and the magnitude of prolactin and cortisol response to D-fenfluramine. CONCLUSIONS: In premenopausal women, a high degree of interconnections was demonstrated between symptoms of depression and symptoms of menopause on both clinical and hormonal level. The results confirm the association between depressive and menopausal symptoms as well as an involvement of gonadal hormones, cortisol, and serotonin deficiency in this process.