Effect of lifestyle factors on plasma total homocysteine concentrations in relation to MTHFR(C677T) genotype. Inter99 (7).
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations between various lifestyle factors--smoking habits, physical activity, dietary habits, coffee, tea, and alcohol consumption--and homocysteine (tHcy) in relation to MTHFR(C677T) genotype.


METHODS
Cross-sectional population-based study.


METHODS
Residents of Copenhagen County, Denmark.


METHODS
A random sample of 6457 men and women aged 30-60 years drawn from the Civil Registration System and invited to a health examination in 1999-2001. A total of 2788 participants were included in the statistical analysis.


METHODS
tHcy was measured using a Fluorescent Polarization Immuno Assay. MTHFR-genotype was determined by PCR and RFLP analysis. Information about lifestyle factors was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire.


RESULTS
Daily smoking, less healthy dietary habits, and coffee drinking were associated with elevated tHcy concentrations independent of other determinants. Wine consumption was related to tHcy in a J-shaped manner, whereas beer consumption was negatively associated with tHcy after multiple adjustments. Interaction was observed between smoking status and MTHFR-genotype, smoking status and sex, and beer consumption and age. The effect of smoking was more pronounced in persons with the TT genotype and in women. The effect of beer consumption was more pronounced at younger than at older ages.


CONCLUSIONS
Smoking status, dietary habits, coffee intake, wine, and beer consumption were major lifestyle determinants of tHcy. Changes in these lifestyle factors may reduce tHcy concentrations, thereby lowering cardiovascular risk in the general population.


BACKGROUND
Danish Medical Research Council, Danish Centre for Evaluation and Health Technology Assessment, and Danish Heart Foundation.
Husemoen
L L N
LL
Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Copenhagen County, Glostrup University Hospital, Denmark. lloh@glostruphosp.kbhamt.dk
Thomsen
T F
TF
Fenger
M
M
Jørgensen
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003069:Coffee; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006306:Health Surveys; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013662:Tea
D003069:Coffee; D013662:Tea; D006710:Homocysteine; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)