title: Folic acid fortification ameliorates hyperhomocysteinemia caused by a vitamin B₆-deficient diet supplemented with L-methionine.
abstract: Vitamin B₆ (B₆) deficiency affects homocysteine metabolism, and this leads to hyperhomocysteinemia. In this study, we examined i) the effects of B₆-deficiency and graduated levels of dietary methionine on homocysteine metabolism, and ii) the effects of fortified folate on homocysteine metabolism. In experiment 1, Wistar male rats were fed a control or a B₆-deficient diet supplemented with L-methionine at a level of 3, 6, or 9 g/kg of diet for 5 weeks. The resulting plasma homocysteine levels in the B₆-deficient groups increased in relation to the increase in dietary methionine level. Next, in experiment 2, rats were fed a control, B₆-deficient, or folate enriched (10 mg pteroylmonoglutamic acid/kg) B₆-deficient diet containing L-methionine at 9 g/kg for 5 weeks. Although the B₆-deficient diet induced hyperhomocysteinemia, folate fortification ameliorated the plasma homocysteine concentration. Overall, our results indicate that folate fortification ameliorates the hyperhomocysteinemia induced by B₆ deficiency and supplemental methionine intake.
authors.affiliation: The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Yanagido, Gifu, Japan.
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Yasuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Isa
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D026681:Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D008715:Methionine