Reduction of plasma homocysteine and serum methylmalonate concentrations in apparently healthy elderly subjects after treatment with folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6: a randomised trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate, in an elderly population: (1) the effects of oral B-vitamin therapy on P-tHcys, S-MMA and Hb/MCV, (2) the appropriate decision limit for 'high' metabolite concentrations and (3) the estimated prevalence of vitamin B(12)/folate deficiency on the basis of different decision limits.


METHODS
Double-blind placebo-controlled intervention study.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic.


METHODS
A total of 209 community-dwelling subjects, median age 76 y (range 70-93) y.


METHODS
Four months of oral daily supplementation with 0.5 mg cyanocobalamin, 0.8 mg folic acid and 3 mg vitamin B(6).


RESULTS
High P- tHcys was found in 64% of men and 45% of women, high S-MMA in 11% of both. Vitamin B(12) deficiency was observed in 7.2% and folate deficiency in 11% of all subjects. Health-related upper reference limits for the metabolites at the start were higher than the laboratory's upper reference limits. The latter were, however, similar to those of the vitamin replete group. There was a significant decrease in P-tHcys (P<0.001) and S-MMA (P=0.009) after 4 months of vitamin treatment. In a multivariate analysis, the P-Hcys change correlated positively with baseline P-tHcys and inversely with baseline P-folate and transferrin saturation (Fe/TIBC ratio). The S-MMA change correlated with baseline S-MMA and inversely with baseline vitamin B(12) and age.


CONCLUSIONS
Suboptimal vitamin status is an important cause of elevated P-tHcys and S-MMA in apparently healthy elderly subjects. Oral B-vitamin therapy is an effective and convenient way to normalise P-tHcys and S-MMA.
Lewerin
C
C
Department of Haematology and Coagulation, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
Nilsson-Ehle
H
H
Matousek
M
M
Lindstedt
G
G
Steen
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
D006710:Homocysteine; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12