Abstract
The methionine loading test is used for the diagnosis of impaired methionine/homocysteine metabolism, in particular the transsulfuration pathway. Usually this test is performed on a low protein diet to control the intake of methionine. However, this is inconvenient and relatively expensive. In this study we compared the effects of a low protein diet and a standard diet on methionine loading test in 28 subjects (crossover design). The mean difference in homocysteine concentration after methionine loading between the two diets was 1.3 [confidence interval (CI) 95%-1.0-3.6] μmol/L which demonstrates that a special low protein diet is not essential in the performance of the methionine loading test. We also observed that 3 weeks after the first methionine loading test, fasting serum concentration of folate was higher and vitamin B12 concentration was lower.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 551-554 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Annals of clinical biochemistry |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1996 |
Keywords
- Folate
- Homocysteine
- Vitamin B