title: Changes in body composition predict homocysteine changes and hyperhomocysteinemia in Korea.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death in Korea. Hyperhomocysteinemia confers an independent risk for CVD comparable to the risk of smoking and hyperlipidemia. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of cardiovascular risk factors and body composition change on homocysteine (Hcy) levels in Korean men and women. The association between body composition and Hcy levels was investigated in a 2-yr prospective cohort study of 2,590 Koreans (mean age 45.5±9.6 yr). There were 293 cases of hyperhomocysteinemia (>14 µM/L) at follow-up. Increases in total body fat proportion and decreases in lean body mass (LBM) were significantly associated with increases in Hcy concentration after controlling for confounding factors. Further adjustments for behavioral factors showed that decreases in LBM were associated with Hcy increase. Decrease in LBM also predicted hyperhomocysteinemia at follow-up, after controlling for confounding factors. There was no significant association between change in body mass index (BMI) and Hcy concentrations over time. Hcy changes over time were related to change in LBM and body fat content, whereas BMI or weight change did not predict change in Hcy levels. Changes in ratio of LBM to total fat mass may contribute to hyperhomocysteinemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sat Byul
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Georgiades
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056910:Republic of Korea
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine
keywords: Body Composition; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Lean Body Mass