Interrelationship of homocysteine-cobalamin-folate indices in human subjects of various ages: can hyper-homocyteinemia be relieved with B-12 supplementation?
OBJECTIVE
To find the effect of aging, nutrition, and gender on Homocysteine-Cobalamin-Folate (HCF) Triad and to determine if B-12 supplementation decreases high levels of homocysteine.


METHODS
In 192 subjects, blood indices were determined to study the relationship of HCF triad to age and gender, 28 had low holotranscobalmin (TC II), and five had low serum cobalamin. Thirty-nine of the subjects who had hyperhomocysteinemia were daily given 100 mcg B-12 for three months.


RESULTS
Thirty-six subjects with hyperhomocysteinemia exhibited different responses based on baseline serum B-12 levels. Those with serum B-12 < 350 pg/ml decreased homocysteine and increased red blood cell (RBC) folate. The serum folate was not significantly changed. Those with B-12 > 350 pg/ml exhibited increase in RBC folate only.


CONCLUSIONS
B-12 supplementation is effective in alleviating hyperhomocysteinemia. Compared to men, aging women had lower homocysteine.
Flynn
Margaret A
MA
University of Missouri-Columbia Medical School-Departments of Family and Community Medicine, USA.
Singh
Amolak
A
Slaughter
James
J
King
Paul
P
Krause
Gary
G
Herbert
Victor
V
Thomas
Wally
W
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12