TY - JOUR
T1 - Homocysteine and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C -> T polymorphism in relation to muscle mass and strength, physical performance and postural sway
AU - Swart, C.M.A.
AU - Enneman, A.
AU - van Wijngaarden, J.
AU - Dijk, S..
AU - Brouwer-Brolsma, E.
AU - Ham, A.
AU - Dhonukshe-Rutten, R.
AU - van der Velde, N.
AU - Brug, J.
AU - van Meurs, J.
AU - de Groot, L.
AU - Uitterlinden, A.
AU - Lips, P.T.A.M.
AU - van Schoor, N.M.
AU - Swart, K. M. A.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - 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. © 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.
AB - 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. © 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.97
DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.97
M3 - Article
C2 - 23695205
SN - 0954-3007
VL - 67
SP - 743
EP - 748
JO - European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
JF - European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
IS - 7
ER -