Publication: C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and plasma homocysteine levels among thai vegans and omnivores
Issued Date
2013-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16642821
03009831
03009831
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2-s2.0-84894335088
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Vol.83, No.2 (2013), 86-91
Suggested Citation
Saowanee Kajanachumpol, Kalayanee Atamasirikul, Phieuvit Tantibhedhyangkul C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and plasma homocysteine levels among thai vegans and omnivores. International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Vol.83, No.2 (2013), 86-91. doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000148 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/32633
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Title
C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and plasma homocysteine levels among thai vegans and omnivores
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Abstract
Hyperhomocysteinemia among vegetarians and vegans is caused mostly by vitamin B12 deficiency. A C-to-T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene results in a thermolabile MTHFR, which may affect homocysteine (Hcy) levels. The importance of this gene mutation among populations depends on the T allele frequency. Blood Hcy, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin B6, and MTHFR C677T mutation status were determined in 109 vegans and 86 omnivores aged 30-50 years. The vegans had significantly higher Hcy levels than the omnivores, geometric means (95 % CI) 19.2 (17.0-21.7) μmol/L vs. 8.53 (8.12-8.95) μmol/L, p < 0.001. A C-to-T mutation in the vegans increased plasma Hcy, albeit insignificantly; geometric means 18.2 μmol/L, 20.4 μmol/L, and 30.0 μmol/L respectively in CC, CT, and TT MTHFR genotypes. There was also a significant decrease in serum folate; geometric means 12.1 ng/mL, 9.33 ng/mL, and 7.20 ng/mL respectively, in the CC, CT, and TT mutants, p = 0.006, and particularly, in the TT mutant compared with the CC wild type, 7.20 ng/mL vs. 12.1 ng/mL, p = 0.023. These findings were not seen in the omnivores. It was concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia is prevalent among Thai vegans due to vitamin B12 deficiency. C-to-T MTHFR mutation contributes only modestly to the hyperhomocysteinemia. © 2013 Hans Huber Publishers, Hogrefe AG, Bern.