One-carbon metabolism markers are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2018 Apr;28(4):402-410. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2018.01.005. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Abstract

Background and aims: Alterations to one-carbon metabolism, especially elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy), have been suggested to be both a cause and a consequence of the metabolic syndrome (MS). A deeper understanding of the role of other one-carbon metabolites in MS, including s-adenosylmethionine (SAM), s-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and the methylation capacity index (SAM:SAH ratio) is required.

Methods and results: 118 men and women with MS-risk factors were included in this cross-sectional study and cardiometabolic outcomes along with markers of one-carbon metabolism, including fasting plasma SAM, SAH, Hcy and vitamin B12 concentrations, were analysed. Multiple linear regression models were also used to examine the association between plasma one-carbon metabolites and cardiometabolic health features. We found that fasting plasma concentrations of Hcy, SAM and SAH were all positively correlated with markers of adiposity, including BMI (increase in BMI per 1-SD increase in one-carbon metabolite: 0.92 kg/m2 95% CI (0.28; 1.56), p = 0.005; 0.81 (0.15; 1.47), p = 0.02; 0.67 (-0.01; 1.36), p = 0.05, respectively). Hcy, but not SAM, SAH or SAM:SAH ratio was associated with BMI and body fat percentage after mutual adjustments. SAM concentrations were associated with higher fasting insulin (9.5% 95% CI (0.3; 19.5) per SD increase in SAM, p = 0.04), HOMA-IR (10.8% (0.8; 21.9), p = 0.03) and TNF-α (11.8% (5.0; 19.0), p < 0.001).

Conclusion: We found little evidence for associations between SAM:SAH ratio and cardiometabolic variables, but higher plasma concentrations of SAM, SAH and Hcy are related to an overall higher risk of metabolic dysfunctions. The studies were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01719913 &NCT01731366).

Keywords: Dyslipidaemia; Homocysteine; Insulin resistance; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fasting / blood
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / blood*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Metabolic Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • S-Adenosylhomocysteine / blood*
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / blood*
  • Vitamin B 12 / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Insulin
  • S-Adenosylmethionine
  • S-Adenosylhomocysteine
  • Vitamin B 12

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01731366
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01719913