B-vitamins and metabolic syndrome in Mesoamerican children and their adult parents

Abstract

Objective To examine the associations between vitamins of the methionine-homocysteine cycle (B6, B12, and folate) and homocysteine (Hcys) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Mesoamerican children and their adult parents. Design We conducted a cross-sectional study. Exposures were plasma vitamin B6 and B12 concentrations, erythrocyte folate, and plasma Hcys. In children, the outcome was a continuous metabolic risk score calculated through sex- and age-standardization of waist circumference, the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and serum triglycerides. In parents, the outcome was the prevalence of MetS according to the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. We estimated mean differences in the metabolic risk score and prevalence ratios (PR) of MetS between quartiles of the exposures using multivariable-adjusted linear and Poisson regression models, respectively. Setting Capital cities of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, and Chiapas State in Mexico. Participants 237 school-age children and 524 parents. Results Among children, vitamin B12 was inversely associated with the metabolic risk score (quartiles 4-1 adjusted difference = –0.13; 95% CI: -0.21, -0.04; P, trend=0.008) through MAP, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. By contrast, folate was positively associated with the metabolic risk score (quartiles 4-1 adjusted difference = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.20; P, trend=0.02). In adults, vitamin B6 was inversely associated with MetS prevalence whereas vitamin B12 and folate were positively related to this outcome. Conclusions Vitamins of the methionine-homocysteine cycle are associated with metabolic syndrome in different directions. The associations differ between children and adults.

Association between methyl donor nutrients and metabolic health status in overweight and obese adolescents

“…Also, a cross-sectional study in adults illustrated inverse associations between vitamins B6 and B9 intake and risk of MetS; but no significant association was observed with vitamin B12 20 . In contrast, in Mesoamerican adults, circulating vitamins B9 and B12 had positive associations with MetS, but vitamin B6 levels were inversely related to this outcome 21 . A study on Japanese children suggested that higher intakes of folate and vitamin B12 could be linked to reduced BP; however, no significant relation was observed for vitamin B6 intake 22 .…”

“…In addition to dietary intakes of methyl donor nutrients, circulating levels of these nutrients were also evaluated in some investigations. A cross-sectional study among 237 school-age children (7–12 years) from nine Mesoamerican countries revealed that metabolic risk score was inversely related to plasma vitamin B12 levels, and positively associated with erythrocyte folate 21 . However, no substantial association was observed in case of vitamin B6 levels 21 .…”

“…A cross-sectional study among 237 school-age children (7–12 years) from nine Mesoamerican countries revealed that metabolic risk score was inversely related to plasma vitamin B12 levels, and positively associated with erythrocyte folate 21 . However, no substantial association was observed in case of vitamin B6 levels 21 . Another cross-sectional study among 256 Turkish children revealed that vitamin B12 concentrations were lower in obese children with MetS than in those without MetS 45 .…”

“…A study on Japanese children suggested that higher intakes of folate and vitamin B12 could be linked to reduced BP; however, no significant relation was observed for vitamin B6 intake 22 . Another cross-sectional investigation among Mesoamerican children has found a positive link between erythrocyte folate and MetS and a null association with B6 levels; whereas vitamin B12 levels were inversely associated with MetS 21 . Previous studies have investigated particular methyl donor nutrients in relation to metabolic status.…”

Associations of Serum Folate and Holotranscobalamin with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Rural and Urban Cameroon

“…In a cross-sectional population-based study of 2201 adults in the US, participants with metabolic syndrome demonstrated a higher folate concentration and lower vitamin B12 concentration than those without metabolic syndrome [ 31 ]. Similarly, a study of 524 adults in nine Mesoamerican countries showed that red blood cell (RBC) folate was positively associated with the metabolic syndrome and plasma vitamin B12 was positively associated with fasting blood glucose and hypertension [ 32 ]. In another study on obese individuals (BMI > 35 kg/m 2 ) in France, plasma folate and vitamin B12 showed no association with the number of metabolic syndrome components [ 33 ].…”