title: Choline supplementation and measures of choline and betaine status: a randomised, controlled trial in postmenopausal women.
abstract: Choline is an essential nutrient and can also be obtained by de novo synthesis via an oestrogen responsive pathway. Choline can be oxidised to the methyl donor betaine, with short-term supplementation reported to lower plasma total homocysteine (tHcy); however, the effects of longer-term choline supplementation are less clear. We investigated the effect of choline supplementation on plasma concentrations of free choline, betaine and tHcy and B-vitamin status in postmenopausal women, a group more susceptible to low choline status. We also assessed whether supplementation altered plasma lipid profiles. In this randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, forty-two healthy postmenopausal women received 1 g choline per d (as choline bitartrate), or an identical placebo supplement with their habitual diet. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline, week 6 and week 12. Administration of choline increased median choline and betaine concentrations in plasma, with significant effects evident after 6 weeks of supplementation (P<0·001) and remaining significant at 12 weeks (P<0·001); no effect was observed on folate status or on plasma lipids. Choline supplementation induced a median (25th, 75th percentile) change in plasma tHcy concentration at week 6 of -0·9 (-1·6, 0·2) μmol, a change which, when compared to that observed in the placebo group 0·6 (-0·4, 1·9) μmol, approached statistical significance (P=0·058). Choline supplementation at a dose of 1 g/d significantly increases the circulating concentration of free choline, and can also significantly increase the concentration of the methyl donor, betaine, thereby potentially enhancing the betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase-mediated remethylation of tHcy.
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, County Londonderry, UK. j.wallace@ulster.ac.uk
authors.forename: Julie M W
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McNulty
authors.forename: Paula M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Paula J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Robson
authors.forename: Maxine P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bonham
authors.forename: Maresa E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Molloy
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Per M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ueland
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Strain
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001622:Betaine / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002794:Choline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002796:Choline Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine; D001622:Betaine; D005492:Folic Acid; D002794:Choline