title: Effect of antioxidant vitamins on the plasma homocysteine level in a free-living elderly population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The factors influencing total plasma homocysteine levels (tHcy) are of special interest in the attempt to reduce cardiovascular risk.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This investigation aimed to assess the independent effects of antioxidant vitamins on tHcy in elderly people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our cross-sectional analysis included data of 184 subjects (≥60 years) from the longitudinal study in an aging population in Giessen (GISELA), Germany. We examined the effects of plasma levels, intake and supplementation of vitamin C, vitamin E, and β-carotene on tHcy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean tHcy was within the normal range in this population. Serum folate, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and plasma vitamin C showed a negative association with tHcy in simple regression analysis. In a subsequent multiple regression analysis, eGFR, serum folate, and plasma vitamin C were the relevant independent predictors of tHcy. Intake and supplementation of vitamin C, as well as plasma levels, intake and supplementation of vitamin E, and β-carotene were not associated with tHcy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin C may be an independent predictor of tHcy in free-living elderly people and, therefore, should be considered in attempts to reduce tHcy.
authors.affiliation: Institutes of Nutritional Science, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Breilmann
authors.forename: Jörn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pons-Kühnemann
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: Margrit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neuhäuser-Berthold
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005858:Germany; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins; D019207:beta Carotene; D006710:Homocysteine; D014810:Vitamin E; D005492:Folic Acid; D001205:Ascorbic Acid