Association between plasma levels of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12, and dietary folate intake and hypertension in a cross-sectional study

Abstract

There are few studies examining the association between homocysteine (Hcy) level and the risk of hypertension with consideration for folate and vitamin B12 as related to Hcy level. We simultaneously examined the associations of plasma levels of Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12, and dietary folate intake with the prevalence of hypertension. Participants included 1046 men and 1033 women (mean age ± standard deviation: 56.0 ± 8.9 years) in the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study. Dietary folate intake was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Hypertension was defined based on measured blood pressure and use of antihypertensive medication. A total of 734 participants (35.3%) had hypertension. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios of hypertension for the highest quartile group of Hcy were 2.36 (95% CI 1.41–3.96) in men and 1.86 (95% CI 1.11–3.11) in women, as compared with the lowest group (P for trend = 0.014 and 0.005, respectively). Dietary folate intake was not correlated with hypertension in both men and women (P for trend = 0.099 and 0.703, respectively). Plasma vitamin B12 was positively associated with hypertension only in women (P for trend = 0.027). Plasma Hcy level was positively linked with hypertension after controlling for covariates, including folate and vitamin B12.

Serum folate concentration and health-related quality of life among the elderly in South Korea

“…Similarly, it is speculated that adequate levels of folate in the blood may lower risks of hypertension by lowering the homocysteine levels. Hyperhomocysteinemia is responsible for hypertension by increasing oxidative stress [ 42 – 45 ]. Increased homocysteine in plasma causes oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, leading to vasoconstriction, vasodilation by nitric acid, and nitrate reduction, all of which increase blood pressure [ 42 , 44 ].…”

“…Hyperhomocysteinemia is responsible for hypertension by increasing oxidative stress [ 42 – 45 ]. Increased homocysteine in plasma causes oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, leading to vasoconstriction, vasodilation by nitric acid, and nitrate reduction, all of which increase blood pressure [ 42 , 44 ]. A high homocysteine level, also called hyperhomocysteinemia, is known to be regulated through the intake of grain fortification foods containing folate [ 46 ] and folic acid supplements [ 47 ].…”

“…A high homocysteine level, also called hyperhomocysteinemia, is known to be regulated through the intake of grain fortification foods containing folate [ 46 ] and folic acid supplements [ 47 ]. In a recent meta-analysis study of randomized experiments, folate intake has been proven to be effective in reducing blood pressure and homocysteine levels among patients with hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia [ 42 , 48 ].…”

Vitamin B status and its impact in post-menopausal women: A review

“…A cohort study published by Tumura et al, on postmenopausal women from Japan found that no correlation between depressive symptoms and vitamin B12 level (30). A cross-sectional study published by Ao et al, on the elderly population from Japan found that there was no significant association between serum folate concentration and gait speed nor between serum B12 and physical performance among women.…”

“…The parameters mainly used for these studies were HCY, folate and vitamin B12. Both decreased vitamin B12 and elevated HCY positively associated and linked with hypertension (30). According to Misora Ao et al (31) the serum folate levels contribute to the handgrip and limb muscle strength.…”