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Nutrigenomics and molecular nutrition

Homocysteine and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C→T polymorphism in relation to muscle mass and strength, physical performance and postural sway

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, pages 743–748 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives:

Elevated plasma homocysteine has been linked to reduced mobility and muscle functioning in the elderly. The relation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C→T polymorphism with these associations has not yet been studied. This study aimed to investigate (1) the association of plasma homocysteine and the MTHFR 677C→T polymorphism with muscle mass, handgrip strength, physical performance and postural sway; (2) the interaction between plasma homocysteine and the MTHFR 677C→T polymorphism.

Subjects/methods:

Baseline data from the B-PROOF study (n=2919, mean age=74.1±6.5) were used. Muscle mass was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry, handgrip strength with a handheld dynamometer, and physical performance with walking-, chair stand- and balance tests. Postural sway was assessed on a force platform. The data were analyzed using regression analyses with plasma homocysteine levels in quartiles.

Results:

There was a significant inverse association between plasma homocysteine and handgrip strength (quartile 4: regression coefficient B=−1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI)=−1.96; −0.32) and physical performance score (quartile 3: B=−0.53, 95% CI=−0.95; −0.10 and quartile 4: −0.94; 95% CI=−1.40; −0.48) in women only, independent of serum vitamin B12 and folic acid. No association was observed between the MTHFR 677C→T polymorphism and the outcomes. High plasma homocysteine in the 677CC and 677CT genotypes, but not in the 677TT genotype, was associated with lower physical performance.

Conclusions:

Elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations are associated with reduced physical performance and muscle strength in older women. There is an urgent need for randomized controlled trials to examine whether lowering homocysteine levels might delay physical decline.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all study participants and co-workers who helped in the acquisition of the subjects and collection of the data. B-PROOF is supported and funded by The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw, Grant 6130.0031), the Hague; unrestricted grant from NZO (Dutch Dairy Association), Zoetermeer; Orthica, Almere; NCHA (Netherlands Consortium Healthy Ageing) Leiden/ Rotterdam; Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (project KB-15-004-003), the Hague; Wageningen University, Wageningen; VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam; Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam. All organizations are based in the Netherlands.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    K M A Swart, J Brug & N M van Schoor

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    A W Enneman, S C van Dijk, A C Ham, N van der Velde, J B J van Meurs & A G Uitterlinden

  3. Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    J P van Wijngaarden, E M Brouwer-Brolsma, R A M Dhonukshe-Rutten & L C P G M de Groot

  4. Department of Endocrinology, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    P Lips

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  1. K M A Swart
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Correspondence to K M A Swart.

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The sponsors do not have any role in the design or implementation of the study, data collection, data management, data analysis, data interpretation, or in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.

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Swart, K., Enneman, A., van Wijngaarden, J. et al. Homocysteine and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C→T polymorphism in relation to muscle mass and strength, physical performance and postural sway. Eur J Clin Nutr 67, 743–748 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.97

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