title: Positive Association of Plasma Homocysteine Levels with Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in a Prospective Study of Japanese Men from the General Population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Observational studies have reported that elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels are associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, interventions that lower Hcy do not provide a corresponding risk reduction. Therefore, the causal role of Hcy in CVD remains unclear. This 5-year prospective study investigated the associations of Hcy levels, folate intake, and host factors with arterial stiffness among the general Japanese population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively recruited 658 participants (40-69 years old) from the general population during regular health checkup examinations. Arterial stiffness was evaluated using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) at baseline and the 5-year follow-up. Folate intake was estimated using a structured questionnaire. Genotyping was used to evaluate the MTHFR C677T and MS A2756G gene polymorphisms. Ultrafast liquid chromatography was used to measure total plasma Hcy levels. Association between these variables and CAVI values was evaluated using general linear regression and logistic regression models that were adjusted for atherosclerosis-related factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men had higher Hcy levels and CAVI values and lower folate intake than women (all, p＜0.001). At baseline, Hcy, folate intake, and the two genotypes were not associated with CAVI values for both sexes. Among men, Hcy levels were positively associated with CAVI values at the 5-year follow-up (p=0.033). Folate intake and the two genotypes were not associated with the 5-year CAVI values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma Hcy may be involved in arterial stiffness progression, as monitored using CAVI, among men.
authors.affiliation: Department of International Islands and Community Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences.
authors.forename: Eva Mariane
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mantjoro
authors.forename: Kousuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toyota
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanouchi
authors.forename: Motahare
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kheradmand
authors.forename: Hideshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niimura
authors.forename: Kazuyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuwabara
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakahata
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimatani
authors.forename: Tara Sefanya
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kairupan
authors.forename: Yora
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nindita
authors.forename: Rie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ibusuki
authors.forename: Yasuhito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nerome
authors.forename: Tetsuhiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Owaki
authors.forename: Shigeho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maenohara
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takezaki
mesh_terms: D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; C573423:MTHFR protein, human; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)