Original Article

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006) 60, 614–622. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602360; published online 7 December 2005

Changes in lifestyle and total homocysteine in relation to MTHFR(C677T) genotype: the Inter99 study

Guarantor: LLN Husemoen.

Contributors: LLNH contributed to statistical analysis, interpretation of results and writing of the manuscript. TFT contributed to study design, interpretation of results and revision of the manuscript. MF contributed to interpretation of results and revision of the manuscript. TJ contributed to study design, interpretation of results, and revision of the manuscript.

L L N Husemoen1, T F Thomsen1, M Fenger2 and T Jørgensen1

  1. 1Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Copenhagen County, Glostrup, Denmark
  2. 2Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark

Correspondence: Dr LLN Husemoen, Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Copenhagen County, Afsnit 84/85, Glostrup University Hospital, Nordre Ringvej 57, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark. E-mail: lloh@glostruphosp.kbhamt.dk

Received 11 April 2005; Revised 3 October 2005; Accepted 18 October 2005; Published online 7 December 2005.

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Abstract

Background:

 

Reduction in total homocysteine (tHcy) may be clinically relevant in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population.

Objective:

 

To examine the effects of changes in various lifestyle habits and lifestyle related biological CVD risk markers on changes in tHcy in relation to MTHFR(C677T) genotype.

Design:

 

A 1 year follow-up study.

Setting:

 

Copenhagen County, Denmark.

Subjects:

 

Statistical analyses were based on a population-based sample of 915 men and women aged 30–60 years assessed to be at increased CVD risk at baseline and therefore offered lifestyle intervention and re-examination after one year.

Results:

 

None of the studied lifestyle changes – smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, and coffee, tea, and alcohol consumption – was significantly associated with changes in tHcy, either overall, or in any of the MTHFR genotype subgroups. In addition, changes in tHcy did not differ between participants randomized to low- and high-intensity lifestyle intervention. However, the MTHFR TT genotype was associated with a significant decrease in tHcy compared with the CC/CT genotype in which an increase was observed. In addition, changes in tHcy were associated with changes in several of the biological CVD risk markers: weight, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure.

Conclusions:

 

Our results indicate that tHcy may not be reduced by lifestyle changes; additionally, they suggest that tHcy may be related to biological CVD risk markers through a lifestyle independent pathway.

Sponsorships:

 

Danish Heart Foundation, Danish Medical Research Council, Danish Centre for Evaluation and Health Technology Assessment.

Keywords:

homocysteine, MTHFR, lifestyle, interaction, intervention, cardiovascular disease

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