B-Vitamins and Homocysteine in Spanish Institutionalized Elderly

2007 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonzalez-Gross ◽  
Sola ◽  
Albers ◽  
Barrios ◽  
Alder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Status ◽  
Total Homocysteine ◽  
Subclinical Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin B Deficiency ◽  
Diagnostic Criterion

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an accepted risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and possibly also for cognitive impairment and dementia. It has also been proposed as a marker for the status of the B vitamins, which participate in the metabolism of homocysteine. Therefore, especially in the elderly, it is important to know the prevalence of high homocysteine (tHcy) levels and the influence that B vitamins have on them. Material and Methods: 218 elderly of both sexes, aged 60–105, living in an elderly home in Granada (Spain), were screened for serum folate, red blood cell (RBC) folate, serum cobalamin (B12) (Abbott, IMx), holotranscobalamin II (Holo-TC II) (HoloTC RIA, Axis-Shield), methylmalonic acid (MMA) (MS-GC), total pyridoxine (B6) (HPLC), and total homocysteine (tHcy) (Abbott, IMx). Results: Hyperhomocysteinemia (tHcy > 12 μmol/L) was detected in 80.7%. Serum folate deficiency was severe (≤ 4 ng/mL) in 19.3% and moderate (4–7 ng/mL) in 43.1%. In 14.2% of the elderly RBC folate was ≤ 175 ng/mL, and in 61.0% it was between 175–400 ng/mL. Vitamin B12, measured in serum (≤ 200 pg/mL), was deficient in 15.8%, but if measured as Holo-TC II (≤ 45 pmol/L), deficiency ranged up to 39.1%. MMA was high (≥ 300 nmol/L) in 45.6%. Vitamin B6 (< 20 nmol/L) was low only in one person. In order to identify the factors that could predict tHcy levels, a multiple regression analysis was performed. Best results corresponded to the combination of log serum folate and log Holo-TC II, which gave values of R > 0.5. If analyzed independently, the highest correlation was with log serum folate (r = –0.290), followed by RBC folate (r = –0.263), Holo-TC II (r = –0.228), log B12 (r = –0.175), and log B6 (r = –0.078). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of vitamin B deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia in the studied population. Our data confirm the influence of these vitamins, especially folate, on tHcy levels, but hyperhomocysteinemia cannot be used as the only diagnostic criterion to detect subclinical vitamin deficiency in elderly people, especially to detect vitamin B12 deficiency.

scholarly journals Masked vitamin B12 and folate deficiency in the elderly

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Craig ◽  
C. Elliot ◽  
K. R. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Folate Deficiency ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Fe Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Geriatric Unit

1. A high incidence of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, or both, may be found in the elderly, particularly those in hospital. This report concerns fifty cases detected in an inner-city-area geriatric unit during the course of routine clinical investigation. The majority had none of the classical haematological signs of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, and all the patients reported had a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of less than 100 fl.2. There was a significant negative correlation between the MCV and the erythrocyte folate (P< 0.01), supporting earlier published work using a low serum folate as an index of folate deficiency.3. There was no correlation between the MCV and the serum vitamin B12. Published work differs on this point.4. Serum iron, total Fe-binding capacity and percentage Fe saturation results were available in forty patients in this series. There was a significant positive correlation between the serum Fe and the MCV (P<0.01) and 34% of patients had haematological evidence of Fe deficiency. In the majority, however, there was no evidence that associated Fe deficiency had masked the haematological signs of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.5. More attention should be paid to the problem of ‘masked’ vitamin B12 and folate deficiency in the elderly. There is a case for routine screening of the elderly for vitamin B12 and folate deficiency irrespective of the MCV.

scholarly journals Folate and vitamin B12concentrations are associated with plasma DHA and EPA fatty acids in European adolescents: the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Iglesia ◽  
I. Huybrechts ◽  
M. González-Gross ◽  
T. Mouratidou ◽  
J. Santabárbara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Total Homocysteine ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
Helena Study

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the association between vitamin B6, folate and vitamin B12biomarkers and plasma fatty acids in European adolescents. A subsample from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study with valid data on B-vitamins and fatty acid blood parameters, and all the other covariates used in the analyses such as BMI, Diet Quality Index, education of the mother and physical activity assessed by a questionnaire, was selected resulting in 674 cases (43 % males). B-vitamin biomarkers were measured by chromatography and immunoassay and fatty acids by enzymatic analyses. Linear mixed models elucidated the association between B-vitamins and fatty acid blood parameters (changes in fatty acid profiles according to change in 10 units of vitamin B biomarkers). DHA, EPA) andn-3 fatty acids showed positive associations with B-vitamin biomarkers, mainly with those corresponding to folate and vitamin B12. Contrarily, negative associations were found withn-6:n-3 ratio,trans-fatty acids and oleic:stearic ratio. With total homocysteine (tHcy), all the associations found with these parameters were opposite (for instance, an increase of 10 nmol/l in red blood cell folate or holotranscobalamin in females produces an increase of 15·85 µmol/l of EPA (Pvalue <0·01), whereas an increase of 10 nmol/l of tHcy in males produces a decrease of 2·06 µmol/l of DHA (Pvalue <0·05). Positive associations between B-vitamins and specific fatty acids might suggest underlying mechanisms between B-vitamins and CVD and it is worth the attention of public health policies.

scholarly journals Nutritional aspects and possible pathological mechanisms of hyperhomocysteinaemia: an independent risk factor for vascular disease

2000 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C. McKinley
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Independent Risk Factor ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Vascular Toxicity ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
The Status ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
The Relationship

Numerous case–control and prospective studies have identified elevated plasma homocysteine as a strong independent risk factor for cerebovascular, cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. Homocysteine is formed as a result of the breakdown of the dietary amino acid methionine. Once formed, homocysteine is either remethylated to methionine, or undergoes a trans-sulfuration reaction to form cysteine. The re-methylation of homocysteine to methionine is dependent on three B-vitamins, i.e. riboflavin, vitamin B12and folate. The second pathway of homocysteine metabolism is the trans-sulfuration pathway which requires both vitamin B6and riboflavin for its activity. Thus, up to four B-vitamins are required for intracellular homocysteine metabolism. Many studies have noted strong inverse relationships between homocysteine levels and the status of both vitamin B12and folate. However, the relationship between vitamin B6status and homocysteine is still uncertain. Similarly, numerous intervention studies have demonstrated effective lowering of homocysteine levels as a result of folate and vitamin B12supplementation, while the homocysteine-lowering ability of vitamin B6is unclear. Even though riboflavin plays a crucial role in both the trans-sulfuration and remethylation pathways of homocysteine metabolism, the relationship between riboflavin status and homocysteine levels has not been investigated. The exact mechanism that explains the vascular toxicity of elevated homocysteine levels is unknown at present, studies indicate that it is both atherogenic and thrombogenic. To date, no randomized clinical trial has demonstrated that lowering of homocysteine levels is beneficial in terms of reducing the prevalence of vascular disease. It is probable, however, that optimal B-vitamin status is important in the prevention of vascular disease.

scholarly journals Deficiency of Vitamin B-Complex and Its Relation with Body Disorders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Farhan Sarwar ◽  
Muhammad Haroon Sarwar ◽  
Muhammad Sarwar
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Pantothenic Acid ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Excessive Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Varied Diet ◽  
Vitamin B Deficiency

Vitamins B denote to some diverse kinds of vitamins which collectively, are recognized as B-complex vitamin. At hand are eight types of vitamins in vitamin B complex; thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) also known as folic acid and cobalamin (B12). B vitamins have a direct impact on body energy levels, brain function and cell metabolism. There is a roundup of four top causes of vitamin B deficiency; a non-balanced diet, excessive alcohol consumption, various medications and gut malabsorption conditions. Deficiencies in these B vitamins can lead to a number of different symptoms like paresthesias, peripheral neuropathy, psychosis and heart attack and stroke over time if the deficiency is not reversed. Vitamins are found in highest abundance in meat, eggs and dairy or milk products such as butter, yogurt and cheese produced from milk of mammals usually buffaloes, cattle, goats, sheep and camels. Most people can get many nutrients they need, including B vitamins, by eating a varied diet of lean meats, grains, fruits and vegetables. This chapter provides an affluent of the most common types of vitamins B, including why body needs these, their deficiency symptoms and which foods contain them.

Efficacy of a 28-Day Oral Cyanocobalamin Supplementation on Vitamin B Status in Spanish Institutionalized Elderly

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albers ◽  
Pedrero-Chamizo ◽  
Meléndez ◽  
Pietrzik ◽  
J. Castillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cobalamin Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Institutionalized Elderly ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Total Homocysteine ◽  
Relative Change ◽  
Oral Supplement

Background: Cobalamin deficiency is a common problem in the elderly. There is no consensus about adequate doses for supplementation. Subjects/Methods: We performed an intervention study in order to establish the efficacy of a supplement providing 500 µg cyanocobalamin for four weeks in sixty-four institutionalized elderly residents, over 60 years of age, in Madrid (Spain). Before and after treatment, concentrations of serum cobalamin, serum holotranscobalamin, serum total homocysteine, and serum and red blood cell folate were analyzed. Clusters were built according to the initial cobalamin status and differences in the effect of supplementation were checked using a general linear model for repeated measures. Results: Cobalamin and holotranscobalamin increased highly significantly from 308 to 558 pmol/L and from 54 to 96 pmol/L (p < 0.001) in the whole study group as well as in each subgroup (clustered by initial cobalamin levels, all p < 0.01), with the highest relative change in the subgroup with the lowest initial cobalamin values. Total homocysteine decreased from 15 to 13 µmol/l, p < 0.001). Only the change of cobalamin (F = 4.61, p < 0.01), but not of holotranscobalamin nor total homocysteine, depended on the initial serum cobalamin status. Conclusions: A supplementation with an oral supplement solution of 500 µg cyanocobalamin daily for only four weeks, a shorter period than that found in former studies, may be considered suitable in institutionalized elderly.

scholarly journals The Role of Vitamin B12 in the Management and Optimization of Treatment in Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aria Nouri ◽  
Kishan Patel ◽  
Julio Montejo ◽  
Rani Nasser ◽  
David A. Gimbel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Subacute Combined Degeneration ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Study Design: Narrative review. Objectives: To discuss the relationship between degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and vitamin B12 deficiency. Specifically, it is the aim to outline the rational for future research into assessment and therapeutic optimization of vitamin B12 in the treatment of DCM. Methods: Literature review. Results: DCM is the commonest cause of spinal cord impairment, with an average age of presentation in the sixth decade. Patients at this age have also been reported to have a high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency, with estimates of up to 20% in the elderly. Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (SACD), and several case reports have pointed to patients with both DCM and SACD. Both SACD and reversible compressive injury due to DCM necessitate remyelination in the spinal cord, a process that requires adequate vitamin B12 levels. Basic science research on nerve crush injuries have shown that vitamin B12 levels are altered after nerve injury and that vitamin B12 along with dexamethasone or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce Wallerian degeneration. Furthermore, it has been suggested that a combination of B-vitamins can reduce glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of clinical and subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly, the role of vitamin B12 in myelination, and vitamin B12 deficiency as a differential diagnosis of DCM, it is important to investigate what role vitamin B12 levels play in patients with DCM in terms of baseline neurological function and whether optimization of vitamin B12 levels can improve surgical outcome. Furthermore, the routine assessment of vitamin B12 levels in patients considered for DCM surgery should be considered.

scholarly journals The effect of 677C → T and 1298A → C mutations on plasma homocysteine and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase activity in healthy subjects

2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 593-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Chango ◽  
A. Chango ◽  
F. Boisson ◽  
F. Barbé ◽  
D. Quilliot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Mthfr Gene ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Serum Folate Level ◽  
Total Homocysteine ◽  
Plasma Total Homocysteine

We have studied the effect of common mutations (677C → T and 1298A → C) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in sixty-six healthy French subjects, aged 27–47 years. Serum folate, vitamin B12, and plasma total homocysteine were measured as well as the specific activity of MTHFR in lymphocytes. The frequency of subjects homozygous for the 677TT genotype was 18 %, and that of those homozygous for the 1298CC genotype was 12·5 %. The frequency of individuals heterozygous for both mutations was 23·5 %. The 1298A → C mutation was associated with decreased MTHFR specific activity in subjects with both 677CC and 677CT genotypes. This activity was 60 % for the 677CC/1298AC genotype and 52 % for the 677CC/1298CC genotype when compared with the MTHFR specific activity of the 677CC/1298AA genotype. Heterozygotes for both mutations (677CT/1298AC genotype) had 36 % of the reference specific activity. Although homocysteine levels in 677TT and 1298CC genotype subjects were higher than for other genotypes, no significant differences were observed among different genotypes. This may be due to high serum folate level in our samples, and suggests that folate therapy may be useful to prevent hyperhomocysteinaemia in homozygous mutant subjects.

Low Plasma Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate Concentration and MTHFR 677C→T Genotypes are Associated with Increased Risk of Hypertension

2008 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin ◽  
Cheng ◽  
Wei ◽  
Huang
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Genetic Mutation ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Phosphate Concentration ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Magnitude

Few studies have linked homocysteine, B vitamins and/or genetic defects to the risk of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate homocysteine, B-vitamins, and genetic mutation in relation to the risk of hypertension. Subjects were assigned to the hypertension (HTN) group (n = 50) or non-hypertension (non-HTN) group (n = 123). All subjects’ blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, SBP; diastolic blood pressure, DBP), biochemical values, plasma homocysteine, pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP), serum folate, vitamin B12 concentrations, and methylenetetrafolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C→T gene polymorphism were measured. Results showed that subjects with T-allele were positively associated with DBP (β = 4.22, p = 0.04) but the significance became weaker (p = 0.06) after homocysteine and B vitamins were additionally adjusted. A significant association of plasma PLP with SBP remained (β = –0.06, p = 0.01) even after homocysteine and T-allele genotypes were additionally adjusted (β = –0.07, p = 0.02). The combined presence of low PLP (< 30 nmol/L) and carried T-allele enhanced the risk of hypertension and the risk magnitude was substantially greater (OR, 16.44, p < 0.001). Taken together, the results show that low plasma PLP levels and MTHFR 677C→T genotypes might be significant risk factors for hypertension.

scholarly journals High Prevalence of Three Potyviruses Infecting Cucurbits in Oklahoma and Phylogenetic Analysis of Cucurbit Aphid-Borne Yellows Virus Isolated from Pumpkins

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Vivek Khanal ◽  
Harrington Wells ◽  
Akhtar Ali
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus ◽  
Yellow Mosaic Virus ◽  
Watermelon Mosaic Virus ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Us ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
The Status ◽  
Low Incidence

Field information about viruses infecting crops is fundamental for understanding the severity of the effects they cause in plants. To determine the status of cucurbit viruses, surveys were conducted for three consecutive years (2016–2018) in different agricultural districts of Oklahoma. A total of 1331 leaf samples from >90 fields were randomly collected from both symptomatic and asymptomatic cucurbit plants across 11 counties. All samples were tested with the dot-immunobinding assay (DIBA) against the antisera of 10 known viruses. Samples infected with papaya ringspot virus (PRSV-W), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), and cucurbit aphid-borne-yellows virus (CABYV) were also tested by RT-PCR. Of the 10 viruses, PRSV-W was the most widespread, with an overall prevalence of 59.1%, present in all 11 counties, followed by ZYMV (27.6%), in 10 counties, and WMV (20.7%), in seven counties, while the remaining viruses were present sporadically with low incidence. Approximately 42% of the infected samples were positive, with more than one virus indicating a high proportion of mixed infections. CABYV was detected for the first time in Oklahoma, and the phylogenetic analysis of the first complete genome sequence of a CABYV isolate (BL-4) from the US showed a close relationship with Asian isolates.

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