Hyperhomocysteinemia in chronic alcoholism: correlation with folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 status

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Hyperhomocysteinemia in chronic alcoholism: correlation with folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 status

ML Cravo, LM Gloria, J Selhub, MR Nadeau, ME Camilo, MP Resende, JN Cardoso, CN Leitao and FC Mira
Servico de Gastrenterologia e Laboratorio de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Portugues de Oncologia Francisco Gentil, Lisboa, Portugal.

Serum homocysteine concentrations have been shown to be a sensitive functional indicator of intracellular folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 status. Chronic alcoholism is known to interfere with one-carbon metabolism, for which the above vitamins serve as coenzymes. In the present study, these vitamins were assessed in 32 chronic alcoholics and 31 healthy volunteers by measuring blood vitamin concentrations as well as serum homocysteine concentrations. In chronic alcoholics, serum pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and red blood cell folate concentrations were significantly lower than in the control subjects (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). Mean serum homocysteine was twice as high in chronic alcoholics than in nondrinkers (P < 0.001). Beer consumers had significantly lower concentrations of homocysteine compared with drinkers of wine or spirits (P = 0.05). These results suggest that by interfering with folate or vitamin B-6 metabolism, chronic alcohol intake may impair the disposal of homocysteine through the transmethylation or transsulfuration pathways.

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				K. Namekata, Y. Enokido, I. Ishii, Y. Nagai, T. Harada, and H. Kimura Abnormal Lipid Metabolism in Cystathionine {beta}-Synthase-deficient Mice, an Animal Model for Hyperhomocysteinemia J. Biol. Chem., December 17, 2004; 279(51): 52961 - 52969. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. BLEICH, K. BAYERLEIN, U. REULBACH, T. HILLEMACHER, D. BONSCH, B. MUGELE, J. KORNHUBER, and W. SPERLING HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN PATIENTS CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO LESCH'S TYPOLOGY Alcohol Alcohol., November 1, 2004; 39(6): 493 - 498. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Robert, J.-F. Chasse, D. Santiard-Baron, C. Vayssettes, A. Chabli, J. Aupetit, N. Maeda, P. Kamoun, J. London, and N. Janel Altered Gene Expression in Liver from a Murine Model of Hyperhomocysteinemia J. Biol. Chem., August 22, 2003; 278(34): 31504 - 31511. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. I Mennen, G. P. de Courcy, J.-C. Guilland, V. Ducros, M. Zarebska, S. Bertrais, A. Favier, S. Hercberg, and P. Galan Relation between homocysteine concentrations and the consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages: the French Supplementation with Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals Study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, August 1, 2003; 78(2): 334 - 338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Ganji and M. R Kafai Demographic, health, lifestyle, and blood vitamin determinants of serum total homocysteine concentrations in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994 Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2003; 77(4): 826 - 833. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Lokk News and Views on Folate and Elderly Persons J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., April 1, 2003; 58(4): M354 - 361. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. V. Bor, H. Refsum, M. R. Bisp, O. Bleie, J. Schneede, J. E. Nordrehaug, P. M. Ueland, O. K. Nygard, and E. Nexo Plasma Vitamin B6 Vitamers before and after Oral Vitamin B6 Treatment: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Study Clin. Chem., January 1, 2003; 49(1): 155 - 161. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Hyperhomocysteinemia in chronic alcoholism: correlation with folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 status

				A. de Bree, W. M. Verschuren, H. J Blom, and D. Kromhout Association between B vitamin intake and plasma homocysteine concentration in the general Dutch population aged 20-65 y Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2001; 73(6): 1027 - 1033. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. TSUKAMOTO and S. C. LU Current concepts in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury FASEB J, June 1, 2001; 15(8): 1335 - 1349. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. De Bree, W. M. Verschuren, H. J. Blom, and D. Kromhout Alcohol consumption and plasma homocysteine: What's brewing? Int. J. Epidemiol., June 1, 2001; 30(3): 626 - 627. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. H Halsted Lifestyle effects on homocysteine and an alcohol paradox Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2001; 73(3): 501 - 502. [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. M Koehler, R. N Baumgartner, P. J Garry, R. H Allen, S. P Stabler, and E. B Rimm Association of folate intake and serum homocysteine in elderly persons according to vitamin supplementation and alcohol use Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2001; 73(3): 628 - 637. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. C. Willett Diet and Cancer: One View at the Start of the Millennium Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 2001; 10(1): 3 - 8. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. Bleich, D. Degner, J. Wiltfang, J. M. Maler, P. Niedmann, S. Cohrs, A. Mangholz, J. Porzig, R. Sprung, E. Ruther, et al. ELEVATED HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL Alcohol Alcohol., July 1, 2000; 35(4): 351 - 354. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Bleich and D. Degner REVERSAL OF ETHANOL-INDUCED HEPATIC STEATOSIS AND LIPID PEROXIDATION BY TAURINE: A STUDY IN RATS Alcohol Alcohol., March 1, 2000; 35(2): 215 - 215. [Full Text] [PDF]

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