title: Effects of exercise and B vitamins on homocysteine and glutathione in Parkinson's disease: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) have decreased glutathione levels and elevated homocysteine levels. These substances are considered markers of health, and an inverse relationship has been suggested through the transsulfuration pathway. This experiment tested the effects of exercise and B vitamin supplementation on homocysteine and glutathione levels, and if a relationship was present between these two markers in those with PD. Secondary aims included examining the impact of the interventions on aerobic efficiency and strength.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six subjects were randomly assigned to 4 groups. The Vit group received vitamins B(6), B(12) and folic acid daily for 6 weeks. The Ex group received aerobic and strength training twice weekly for 6 weeks. The Vit + Ex group received both interventions. A control group received no intervention. Subjects were tested prior to and after intervention on the following measures: glutathione and homocysteine levels, strength measures and oxygen consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects who received 6 weeks of B vitamin supplementation had lowered homocysteine levels. Subjects who received 6 weeks of exercise training had increased glutathione levels, strength and aerobic capacity. The combination of vitamin and exercise did not yield greater changes than the separate intervention. The control subjects did not change on any measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive results were realized with each intervention; however, the expected relationship between glutathione and homocysteine was not found in this sample of subjects with PD. Homocysteine and glutathione levels can be improved independently in individuals with PD with exercise or vitamins B(6), B(12) and folic acid supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Academic Health Care Center, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA. jdonoghu@nyit.edu
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DiFrancisco-Donoghue
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lamberg
authors.forename: Ely
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rabin
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elokda
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fazzini
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood*; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005978:Glutathione; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide