Gender- and age-related differences in homocysteine concentration: a cross-sectional study of the general population of China

Abstract

The primary goals of this study were to evaluate the gender- and age-related differences in homocysteine concentration in the general population of China and possible influencing factors. A total of 7872 subjects, divided into male and female groups, participated in this retrospective study. The average homocysteine level, prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, and independent factors affecting homocysteine concentration were analyzed. The homocysteine level was significantly higher in males than in females in each age range (aged 20–30, aged 30–40, aged 40–50, aged 50–60, aged 60–80, aged over 80) (P < 0.0001), and the trend did not abate with age. The homocysteine concentration first decreased and then increased, being lowest at 30–50 years of age and significantly increased after 50 years of age. Factors associated with homocysteine concentration in males were smoking status (current smokers versus ex-smokers: β: 0.112), estimated glomerular filtration rate (β = − 0.192), blood urea nitrogen (β = − 0.14), diastolic blood pressure (β = − 0.113), free triiodothyronine (β = − 0.091), serum potassium (β = − 0.107) and cystatin C (β = 0.173). In females, independent factors associated with homocysteine concentration were cystatin C (β = 0.319), albumin (β = 0.227), free thyroxine (β = 0.179), age (β = 0.148), free triiodothyronine (β = − 0.217) and serum potassium (β = − 0.153). The homocysteine level was significantly higher in males than in females and increased markedly after 50 years of age in both groups. The independent factors associated with increased homocysteine concentration differed between males and females.

Association Between Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Cognitive Deficits in Han Chinese Patients with Schizophrenia across Age Groups

“…Interestingly, we found that Hcy levels were negatively associated with SoP score, but not score for other cognitive domains, in patients with schizophrenia aged 18-29 years after adjustment for age, BMI, and education. Additionally, with increasing age, no relationship was observed between these factors, in contrast most previous studies [28][29][30] . The inconsistent results may be because plasma Hcy levels result from a complex process mediated by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, and the independent factors associated with Hcy levels and cognitive de cits differed according to age 31 .…”

“…In several longitudinal studies, the progression of changes in Hcy levels associated with age was not con rmed. Additionally, a recent large-sample study including 7872 subjects evaluated the age-related differences in Hcy levels in a general Chinese population and showed that the Hcy levels rst decreased, then increased, and signi cantly increased after 50 years of age 17 , similar to the results of our study. However, some previous studies did not observe a statistically signi cant association between Hcy levels and age 18 , whereas other studies reported that plasma Hcy levels increased signi cantly with age in the general population and patients with schizophrenia 19 ; 20 .…”

Physiological and Biochemical Markers of the Sex-Specific Sensitivity to Epileptogenic Factors, Delayed Consequences of Seizures and Their Response to Vitamins B1 and B6 in a Rat Model

“…In this regard, the PTZ-induced sexual dimorphism in the brain methionine level also deserves attention, as methionine is a precursor of a pro-convulsant homocysteine [ 41 ]. Homocysteine levels are higher in the plasma of males compared to females [ 42 ], but their increase is more dangerous to the female brain than the male brain [ 43 ]. In the animals without exposure to PTZ, there is no difference in the brain methionine level between the males and females ( Figure 9 ).…”

Short-Term and Lifelong Exercise Training Lowers Inflammatory Mediators in Older Men

“…For example, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) has been reported to be increased in a stepwise manner, with centenarians displaying greater concentrations than 80-year-olds, who in turn display greater concentrations than younger individuals ( Franceschi et al, 2007 ). Similarly, homocysteine is greater in those aged over 50years of age compared to younger individuals and is associated with unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking ( Xu et al, 2020 ). Moreover, IL-6 is greater in advanced age ( Bruunsgaard et al, 1999 ; Baylis et al, 2013 ), while intracellular pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and TNF-α, are greater in older participants’ T cells than younger counterparts’ T cells ( Zanni et al, 2003 ).…”