Food Intervention with Folate Reduces TNF-α and Interleukin Levels in Overweight and Obese Women with the MTHFR C677T Polymorphism: A Randomized Trial.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism associated with body fat accumulation could possibly trigger an inflammatory process by elevating homocysteine levels and increasing cytokine production, causing several diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of food intervention, and not folate supplements, on the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in overweight and obese women with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. A randomized, double-blind eight-week clinical trial of 48 overweight and obese women was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. They received 300 g of vegetables daily for eight weeks containing different doses of folate: 95 µg/day for Group 1 and 191 µg/day for Group 2. MTHFR C677T polymorphism genotyping was assessed by digestion with HinfI enzyme and on 12% polyacrylamide gels. Anthropometric measurements, 24-h dietary recall, and biochemical analysis (blood folic acid, vitamin B12, homocysteine (Hcy), TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) were determined at the beginning and end of the study. Group 2 had a significant increase in folate intake (p < 0.001) and plasma folic acid (p < 0.05) for individuals with the cytosine-cytosine (CC), cytosine-thymine (CT), and thymine-thymine (TT) genotypes. However, only individuals with the TT genotype presented reduced levels of Hcy, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß (p < 0.001). Group 1 showed significant differences in folate consumption (p < 0.001) and folic acid levels (p < 0.05) for individuals with the CT and TT genotypes. Food intervention with folate from vegetables increased folic acid levels and reduced interleukins, TNF-α, and Hcy levels, mainly for individuals with the TT genotype.

Methylation profile of the ADRB3 gene and its association with lipid profile and nutritional status in adults

BACKGROUND: Defects in DNA methylation have been shown to be associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypercholesterolemia. To analyze the methylation profile of the ADRB3 gene and correlate it with lipid profile, lipid intake, and oxidative stress based on malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), homocysteine and folic acid levels, nutritional status, lifestyle, and socioeconomic variables in an adult population. A cross-sectional epidemiological study representative of the East and West regions of the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba state, Brazil, enrolled 265 adults of both genders. Demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic questionnaires and a 24-h recall questionnaire were applied by trained interviewers' home. Nutritional and biochemical evaluation (DNA methylation, lipid profile, MDA, TAC, homocysteine and folic acid levels) was performed. RESULTS: DNA hypermethylation of the ADRB3 gene, analyzed in leukocytes, was present in 50% of subjects and was associated with a higher risk of being overweight (OR 3.28; p = 0.008) or obese (OR 3.06; p = 0.017), a higher waist-hip ratio in males (OR 1.17; p = 0.000), greater intake of trans fats (OR 1.94; p = 0.032), higher LDL (OR 2.64; p = 0.003) and triglycerides (OR 1.81; p = 0.031), and higher folic acid levels (OR 1.85; p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that epigenetic changes in the ADRB3 gene locus may explain the development of obesity and non-communicable diseases associated with trans-fat intake, altered lipid profile, and elevated folic acid. Because of its persistence, DNA methylation may have an impact in adults, in association with the development of non-communicable diseases. This study is the first population-based study of the ADRB3 gene, and the data further support evaluation of ADRB3 DNA methylation as an effective biomarker.

Relação entre Valores de Leucócitos e PCR-US Com o Consumo Alimentar Habitual de Vitamina com Ação Antioxidante em Idosos / Relationship between Leukocyte Counting and PCR-US with the Usual Dietary Intake of Vitamins with Antioxidant Action among Elderly People

Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre os valores de leucócitos e proteína C- reativa ultrassensível (PCR-us) e o consumo alimentar habitual de vitaminas com ação antioxidante em idosos, considerando-se a inexistência de estudos. Material e Métodos: Adotou-se delineamento epidemiológico transversal, utilizando-se amostragem de uma população idosa, envolvendo 174 indivíduos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, de diferentes condições socioeconômicas e de saúde, como obesidade, hipertensão e diabetes. Resultados: Para verificar a correlação entre as variáveis, utilizou-se o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman. Houve correlação negativa entre os valores de leucócito e vitamina E (r = -0,29, p = 0,0316), ß-caroteno (r = -0,32, p = 0,0189), leucócito e vitamina A (r = -0,36, p= 0,0062), e correlação entre os valores de leucócito e vitamina C, como também entre PCR-us e o consumo alimentar habitual dessas vitaminas. Conclusão: Com base nas correlações encontradas entre os valores de leucócitos e as vitaminas mencionadas, a ingestão dessas vitaminas, seria ainda mais justificada, considerando-se também, a sua importância na adequação dos valores de leucócitos. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between leukocyte counts and ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the usual dietary intake of vitamins with antioxidant action in the elderly. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study with a sample of 174 individuals aged 60 years and over, from different socioeconomic and health conditions, such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. Results: To verify the correlation among the study variables, the Spearman correlation coefficient was utilized. There was a negative correlation between leukocyte counts and the intake of vitamin E (r = -0.29, p = 0.0316), ß -carotene (r = -0.32, p = 0.0189), as well as vitamin A (r = - 0.36, p = 0.0062). On the other hand, there was a correlation between leukocyte counts and the intake of vitamin C as well as between the hs-CRP and the usual intake of these vitamins. Conclusion: Based on the correlations found, the intake of these vitamins would be more justified considering their importance in the adaptability of leukocyte counts. (AU)