Changes in lifestyle and total homocysteine in relation to MTHFR(C677T) genotype: the Inter99 study

Abstract

Background: Reduction in total homocysteine (tHcy) may be clinically relevant in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population. Objective: To examine the effects of changes in various lifestyle habits and lifestyle related biological CVD risk markers on changes in tHcy in relation to MTHFR(C677T) genotype. Design: A 1 year follow-up study. Setting: Copenhagen County, Denmark. Subjects: Statistical analyses were based on a population-based sample of 915 men and women aged 30-60 years assessed to be at increased CVD risk at baseline and therefore offered lifestyle intervention and re-examination after one year. Results: None of the studied lifestyle changes -smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, and coffee, tea, and alcohol consumption -was significantly associated with changes in tHcy, either overall, or in any of the MTHFR genotype subgroups. In addition, changes in tHcy did not differ between participants randomized to low-and high-intensity lifestyle intervention. However, the MTHFR TT genotype was associated with a significant decrease in tHcy compared with the CC/CT genotype in which an increase was observed. In addition, changes in tHcy were associated with changes in several of the biological CVD risk markers: weight, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Our results indicate that tHcy may not be reduced by lifestyle changes; additionally, they suggest that tHcy may be related to biological CVD risk markers through a lifestyle independent pathway.

Changes in lifestyle, biological risk factors and total homocysteine in relation to MTHFR C677T genotype: a 5-year follow-up study

“…The observed associations between changes in tHcy and changes in biological risk factors are in agreement with several cross-sectional studies (Nygard et al, 1995;de Bree et al, 2001a) and confirm our previous findings of a relationship between changes in tHcy and changes in blood pressure and the lipid profile reported after 1 year of followup (Husemoen et al, 2006). The inverse relationship between weight reduction and changes in tHcy observed after 1 year was not confirmed.…”

“…Changes in smoking habits between baseline and follow-up were defined into the following five categories: (1) unchanged non-smoking, (2) unchanged occasional smoking, (3) unchanged smoking, (4) stopped smoking and (5) started smoking between the two examinations. Serum cotinine measurements were used to validate the self-reported smoking cessation as described previously (Husemoen et al, 2006). A total of 20 participants (12.1%) reporting smoking cessation did not meet the validation criteria.…”

“…It has been shown that folic acid and B12 supplements effectively reduce tHcy in randomized controlled trials (Homocysteine Lowering Trialists Collaboration 1998). Only very few studies have examined whether an altered lifestyle and changes in lifestyle-related factors are associated with changes in tHcy (Nurk et al, 2004;Husemoen et al, 2006). The thermolabile variant of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T, rs1801133) (Frosst et al, 1995), a regulating enzyme in tHcy metabolism, has been shown to modify the relation between several lifestyle factors and tHcy (Jacques et al, 1996;Hustad et al, 2000;Jacques et al, 2002;Husemoen et al, 2004).…”

Cardiovascular Fitness Is Negatively Associated With Homocysteine Levels in Female Adolescents

“…20,[22][23][24] However, findings are different when analyzed prospectively. 49,50 Duncan et al 50 found that 6 months of exercise increased homocysteine levels in sedentary adults, whereas Randeva et al 51 showed that 6 months of sustained brisk walking for 20 to 60 minutes 3 days a week significantly decreased homocysteine levels and increased CVF in young overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome, a group at increased risk of premature atherosclerosis. Similarly, a weight-reduction program that included physical activity had a positive effect on the homocysteine levels in obese children.…”

The effect of the MTHFR C677T mutation on athletic performance and the homocysteine level of soccer players and sedentary individuals

“…Elevated plasma total Hcy concentration is an independent risk factor for coronary ischemic diseases, a stroke, vascular diseases and venous thrombosis (Husemoen et al, 2006; Mennen et al, 2002; Rasmussen et al, 2000). Life factors that were found to affect Hcy levels include age, sex, diet, plasma folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, smoking, consumption of coffee, tea and alcohol, and physical activity (Rasmussen et al, 2000; Husemoen et al, 2006). …”