Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation. 1998;97:437-443

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Erratum (v99,p983)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Robinson, K.
Right arrow Articles by Graham, I.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Robinson, K.
Right arrow Articles by Graham, I.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
Hazardous Substances DB
*FOLIC ACID
*PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Medline Plus Health Information
*Peripheral Arterial Disease

(Circulation. 1998;97:437-443.)
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.


Clinical Investigation and Reports

Low Circulating Folate and Vitamin B6 Concentrations

Risk Factors for Stroke, Peripheral Vascular Disease, and Coronary Artery Disease

Killian Robinson, MD; Kristopher Arheart, EdD; Helga Refsum, PhD; Lars Brattström, MD, PhD; Godfried Boers, MD; Per Ueland, PhD; Paolo Rubba, MD; Roberto Palma-Reis, MD; Raymond Meleady, MRCPI; Leslie Daly, PhD; Jacqueline Witteman, MD; Ian Graham, FRCPI; ; for the European COMAC Group1

From the Departments of Cardiology (K.R.) and Biostatistics and Epidemiology (K.A.), The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Clinical Biology, Division of Pharmacology (H.R., P.U.), University of Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine (L.B.), County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden; Department of Endocrinology (G.B.), Katholieke Universiteit, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Facolta di Medicina e Chirurgia (P.R.), Universita degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II, Naples, Italy; Servico de Medicina (R.P.-R.), Hospital de S. Francisco Xavier Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Cardiology, Adelaide Hospital, Trinity College, Dublin and the Department of Epidemiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (R.M., I.G.); Department of Public Health Medicine and Epidemiology (L.D.), University College Dublin, Ireland; and Department of Epidemiology (J.W.), Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Correspondence to Killian Robinson, MD, Desk F15, Department of Cardiology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195. E-mail robinsk{at}ccsmtp.ccf.org


*    Abstract
up arrowTop
*Abstract
down arrowIntroduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Background—A high plasma homocysteine concentration is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, and circulating concentrations of homocysteine are related to levels of folate and vitamin B6. This study was performed to explore the interrelationships between homocysteine, B vitamins, and vascular diseases and to evaluate the role of these vitamins as risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Methods—In a multicenter case-control study in Europe, 750 patients with documented vascular disease and 800 control subjects frequency-matched for age and sex were compared. Plasma levels of total homocysteine (before and after methionine loading) were determined, as were those of red cell folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6.

Results—In a conditional logistic regression model, homocysteine concentrations greater than the 80th percentile for control subjects either fasting (12.1 µmol/L) or after a methionine load (38.0 µmol/L) were associated with an elevated risk of vascular disease independent of all traditional risk factors. In addition, concentrations of red cell folate below the lowest 10th percentile (<513 nmol/L) and concentrations of vitamin B6 below the lowest 20th percentile (<23.3 nmol/L) for control subjects were also associated with increased risk. This risk was independent of conventional risk factors and for folate was explained in part by increased homocysteine levels. In contrast, the relationship between vitamin B6 and atherosclerosis was independent of homocysteine levels both before and after methionine loading.

Conclusions—Lower levels of folate and vitamin B6 confer an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Clinical trials are now required to evaluate the effect of treatment with these vitamins in the primary and secondary prevention of vascular diseases.


Key Words: atherosclerosis • cerebrovascular disorders • coronary disease • peripheral vascular disease • risk factors


*    Introduction
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
*Introduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
An increased plasma homocysteine concentration is associated with premature arterial disease1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 and may reflect deficiency states of folate, vitamin B12, or vitamin B617 18 19 or of certain essential enzymes.20 21 22 23 24 25 The relationship between these B vitamins and vascular diseases, however, remains poorly defined. The present study demonstrates that lower circulating levels of folate and vitamin B6 are often seen in patients with atherosclerosis and confer an increased and independent risk of cardiovascular disease.


*    Methods
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
*Methods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Case Subjects
Patients with clinical evidence of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, or cerebrovascular disease confirmed by standard

diagnostic techniques were included. The inclusion and exclusion criteria have been reported extensively elsewhere.15 Briefly, 750 case subjects with vascular disease and 800 control subjects younger than 60 years of age, of both sexes, were recruited at 19 centers in nine European countries. Case subjects had defined clinical and objective investigational evidence of vascular disease. Newly or recently diagnosed case subjects were recruited wherever possible, and 69% were recruited within 1 year of diagnosis. Exclusion criteria for both case and control subjects included nonatherosclerotic vascular disease, cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, recent (within 3 months) systemic illness, and psychiatric illness. Conditions thought to influence homocysteine concentrations, such as renal or thyroid disease, anticonvulsant therapy, and recent (<3 months) exposure to nitrous oxide, also served as exclusion criteria.

Control Subjects
Control subjects were clinically healthy and free of overt disease. Where possible, subjects were recruited from a geographic background similar to that of case subjects. Community-based control subjects from random population samples, family practice registers, and occupational registers were considered ideal sources. Just less than half of these subjects came from community samples, one third were recruited from employee health insurance registers, and one sixth were hospital employees. Two percent of control subjects were hospital patients. Control subjects recruited from the three main sources were similar in terms of the major variables studied and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels.

Risk Factors for Vascular Disease
Age, sex, smoking habits, blood pressure, lipid concentrations, weight, and both drug and vitamin usage were documented in all subjects and are shown in Table 1Down.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1. Clinical Data in 750 Case Subjects With Vascular Disease and 800 Control Subjects

Methionine-Loading Test
A methionine-loading test was performed on all subjects in standard fashion.26 Blood was drawn into tubes containing EDTA for measurement of fasting tHcy. An oral dose of 0.1 g/kg L-methionine was administered, and blood was drawn again 6 hours later for the postload measurement. We refer to the difference between these two concentrations as the increase in tHcy.

Laboratory Measurements
Homocysteine Assay
Total plasma homocysteine was measured by use of a previously described method involving reduction with sodium borohydride, derivatization with monobromobimane, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation, and fluorescence detection.27 Blinded analyses were performed on all samples that were reanalyzed twice on two separate days. A maximum of 10% difference between the two results, ie, 5% difference from the mean, was allowed. If this was exceeded, the analyses were repeated for a third time. The average of these analyses is presented.

Vitamin Concentrations and Other Assays
Measurements of red cell folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 (measured as pyridoxal 5'-phosphate), and creatinine were performed centrally at Mimelab-AB, Soraker, Sweden. Vitamin B12 and folate concentrations were measured by use of a radioimmunoassay technique,28 and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate was measured by enzymatic photometry with HPLC separation.29

Definitions
Traditional Risk Factors
Smokers were defined as those currently smoking any tobacco (at the time of diagnosis for case subjects and at the time of the methionine-loading test for control subjects). Hypertension was considered present if at the time of the methionine-loading test a systolic blood pressure >=160 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure of 95 mm Hg was observed or if treatment for high blood pressure was administered. For both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, the mean of four values was used (two obtained before and two after the administration of methionine). Hypercholesterolemia was considered present if subjects were taking lipid-lowering drug treatment or had a serum cholesterol >=6.5 mmol/L (251.4 mg/dL).

Homocysteine Concentrations
For categorical analyses, high tHcy concentrations were defined as levels greater than the 80th percentile for control subjects in both the fasting (12 µmol/L) and the post–methionine-loading state (38 µmol/L). The 80th percentile for control subjects was also used to define an abnormally high increase after methionine loading (27 µmol/L).

Vitamin Deficiencies and Low Vitamin Status
Folate deficiency was defined as a red cell folate concentration <372 nmol/L, which is similar to widely used reference ranges.30 Low folate status was defined as a concentration below the 10th percentile for control subjects (513 nmol/L). Concentrations of fasting tHcy below this level of folate were higher than those in the upper decile of folate concentration (see FigureDown). Because this difference persisted when adjusted for deficiencies of both vitamin B12 and vitamin B6, we inferred a functional folate deficiency at and below this level. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as a plasma concentration <125 pmol/L.30 Low vitamin B12 status was defined arbitrarily as a value below the 10th percentile for control subjects (139.5 pmol/L).



View larger version (29K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Geometric mean and 95% CI bars of fasting and postload homocysteine concentrations in case and control subjects defined by decile cutpoints of folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. Decile cutpoints are based on control samples only. Vitamin values on the x axis are the group mean of case and control subjects combined. Case subjects with deficiencies in vitamins other than the one being graphed have been eliminated from the analysis. *Homocysteine level differs significantly (P<.05) between case and control subjects in the relevant group. +Case or control homocysteine level is significantly different (P<.05) from the level observed in the group above the highest vitamin decile.

Definitions of vitamin B6 deficiency are not uniform,30 31 and values <3030 or <20 nmol/L31 may indicate deficiency. In the present study, frank deficiency was defined as <20 nmol/L. Because this was almost identical to the 10th percentile for control subjects (20.8 nmol/L), low vitamin B6 status was defined as less than the 20th percentile for control subjects (23.3 nmol/L).

Diagnostic Criteria for Vascular Disease
The following criteria were used for the diagnosis of vascular diseases:

1. Coronary heart disease: clinical evidence of angina or myocardial infarction plus a >=2-fold rise in cardiac enzymes with evolutionary ST-T changes or pathological Q waves alone or angiographic evidence of >=70% stenosis of a major coronary artery.

2. Cerebrovascular disease: clinical evidence of stroke or transient ischemic attack plus carotid stenosis >=50% on Doppler or angiography or unequivocal atherosclerotic plaque on angiography or computed tomographic evidence of cerebral infarction without demonstrable source of embolism.

3. Peripheral vascular disease: clinical evidence of intermittent claudication or clearly diminished foot pulses plus obstruction of one major peripheral artery on angiography or Doppler ankle-arm index <0.9.

Statistical Methods
Sample size considerations for this study have been presented elsewhere.15 Data are presented as mean±SE or percents. When necessary, log transformation was used for skewed variables, and these data are presented as geometric means and 95% CIs. We compared risk factors between case and control subjects using a t test or {chi}2 test as appropriate. We examined the relationship among tHcy and vitamin concentrations using Pearson correlations. Conditional logistic regression stratified by center, age, and gender was used to investigate models of the risk of coronary artery disease; odds ratios with 95% CIs are reported for these analyses. Differences in tHcy among vitamin deciles were evaluated with ANOVA. A two-sided 5% level of significance is considered significant for all statistical tests; exact probability values are reported down to P<.001.


*    Results
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
*Results
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Concentrations of tHcy
Geometric means for fasting, postload, and increase in tHcy values and for the vitamins are shown in Table 2Down according to gender and case status. Overall, fasting tHcy values were higher in case subjects than in control subjects in both men and women. Age and weight adjustment had little effect on the values shown in the tables or on significance levels (data not shown). After the methionine-loading test, tHcy values were higher in case subjects than in control subjects, both in men and women. These concentrations also remained high when adjusted for age and weight (data not shown). The increase in tHcy after methionine loading was significantly greater in case subjects than in control subjects in both sexes but was more marked in women than in men. These concentrations also remained high when adjusted for age and weight (data not shown).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 2. Total Homocysteine Concentrations and Vitamin Levels According to Gender and Case Status

Vitamins
Folate concentrations were higher in men than in women. Within men as a group, however, folate levels were lower in case subjects than in control subjects (819.0±1.0 versus 876.2±1.0 nmol/L; P=.005; see Table 2Up). Mean vitamin B12 concentrations were similar in both case and control subjects. Vitamin B6 concentrations were lower in case subjects than in control subjects.

Correlations Between Vitamins and tHcy
The correlations between tHcy and the three vitamins are shown in Table 3Down and the FigureUp.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 3. Correlations Between Plasma Total Homocysteine and Vitamin Levels in Case and Control Subjects

Fasting tHcy correlated negatively with folate. Postload values correlated negatively with folate in male case subjects and in female control subjects. In contrast, values for the increase in tHcy did not correlate with folate. Fasting, postload, and increases in tHcy values correlated negatively with vitamin B12 (see Table 3Up) in both case and control subjects. The majority of these correlations were significant. Fasting, postload, and increases in tHcy values correlated negatively with vitamin B6 (see Table 3Up), and the majority of these correlations were significant. Across the range of vitamin B6 concentrations, postload tHcy levels were greater in case than control subjects (see FigureUp).

Vitamin Deficiencies
Prevalences of vitamin deficiencies (defined by use of conventional definitions) and values for the lower 10th and 20th percentiles are shown in Table 4Down. When a definition of folate deficiency of 372 nmol/L was used, folate deficiency was seen in 2% of control subjects and 4% of case subjects (P=.048). Low folate status, corresponding to the 10th percentile for control subjects (<513 nmol/L), was seen in 15% of case subjects (P=.002). Prevalences of deficiency of vitamin B12 (<125 pmol/L) and low vitamin B12 status were no different in case subjects than in control subjects. Deficiency (<20 nmol/L) was seen in 21% of case subjects (P<.001). This concentration was almost identical to the 10th percentile for control subjects (20.75 nmol/L; see Table 4Down). Low vitamin B6 status (less than the 20th percentile for control subjects, or 23.2 nmol/L) was seen in 35% of case subjects (P<.001).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 4. Prevalence of Low Vitamin Status and Conventionally Defined Vitamin Deficiencies in Case and Control Subjects

Relationships Between Homocysteine, Vitamins, and Vascular Disease
Variables included in the conditional logistic regression models for vascular diseases included hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, creatinine, and the concentrations of fasting tHcy, postload tHcy, increase in tHcy, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. The results for these analyses are shown in Table 5Down.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 5. Adjusted Odds Ratio of Vascular Disease in Subjects With High Total Homocysteine or Low Vitamin Levels Relative to Subjects With Normal tHcy or Vitamin Levels

Homocysteine
Odds ratios for vascular disease for tHcy have already been reported, adjusted for conventional risk factors.16 High fasting, increase, and postload tHcy concentrations were significant risk factors for vascular disease after adjustment was made for traditional risk factors and vitamins (see Table 5Up).

Vitamins
When a conventional definition (<372 nmol/L) was used, folate deficiency was not associated with an increased odds ratio of vascular disease (1.12; CI, 0.52 to 2.41; P=.77; data not shown in Table 5Up). A level of folate below the lowest decile (513.0 nmol/L) conferred an odds ratio of 1.50 (CI, 1.03 to 2.20; P=.045; see Table 5Up) for vascular disease, adjusted for traditional risk factors. When adjusted for fasting tHcy but not the increase or postload values, this was no longer significant.

Neither vitamin B12 deficiency (data not shown) nor low vitamin B12 status was associated with a significant likelihood of vascular disease (see Table 5Up). An increased odds ratio of vascular disease was seen both with vitamin B6 deficiency (not shown in Table 5Up) and low vitamin B6 status (odds ratio, 1.84; CI, 1.39 to 2.42; P<.001). The risk associated with low vitamin B6 status persisted when adjusted for the concentrations of tHcy (fasting, postload, or increase; see Table 5Up).


*    Discussion
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
*Discussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Increases in plasma concentrations of homocysteine are common in patients with stroke, coronary disease, and peripheral vascular disease and confer an independent risk of atherosclerosis.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 In the present study, important links between homocysteine, low vitamin concentrations, and vascular disease risk were seen. The causes of hyperhomocysteinemia in these patients are poorly understood, although reduced activity of cystathionine ß-synthase2 4 or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase,24 25 which are essential for the metabolism of homocysteine, could play a role. More importantly, however, concentrations of homocysteine rise as the levels of folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 fall,21 22 and high homocysteine concentrations are often seen with deficiency of these vitamins.17 18 19

In this investigation, homocysteine levels were higher in men, although the postload increase was greater in case subjects, with a consequently greater value in total homocysteine level. The gender difference may be because of the fact that more homocysteine is formed in men than in women in conjunction with creatine-creatinine synthesis.32 It is also possible that there are gender differences in the transsulfuration and remethylation of homocysteine, with more efficient remethylation in women and more efficient transsulfuration in men. Men may therefore have a higher folate requirement. Indeed, in the present study, folate levels were lower in women than in men, and case-control differences were only apparent in men.

In the present study, homocysteine correlated negatively with all three vitamins, although the rise in homocysteine was steepest with lower vitamin levels. When a standard definition (372 nmol/L) was used, folate deficiency was not associated with an increased risk of vascular disease. Low folate status, however, was associated with an increased risk of vascular disease. This risk was reduced by the inclusion of fasting homocysteine in the model, implying that the increased risk of vascular disease accompanying lower folate levels may be explained by the higher circulating homocysteine concentrations. These findings are consistent with those of Pancharuniti et al,12 who showed an association between lower folate levels and angiographic evidence of >=50% occlusion of one or more major coronary arteries in white males younger than 50 years of age. Recently, Morrison et al33 reported a higher 15-year coronary mortality rate in patients with lower folate concentrations. In their study, however, no data were available on homocysteine levels. Our findings are consistent with the observation that low functional levels of folate and other B vitamins, including vitamin B6, that are prevalent in the general population19 are also commonplace in patients with atherosclerosis. Because it is possible to lower homocysteine levels with folic acid, such treatment may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.16

Concentrations of vitamin B6 were lower in case subjects than in control subjects, and deficiency was common (>20%). These findings are unlikely to be a consequence of vascular disease because although vitamin B6 levels may fall after myocardial infarction,34 35 concentrations return to baseline levels after 3 to 4 days.36 Confounding disorders associated with reduced vitamin B6 levels, such as cancer, renal disease, diabetes, or alcoholism,31 also could not have been responsible because such patients had been excluded from the present study.15 Control subjects had also been selected carefully, and values for random population control subjects were similar to those seen in control subjects recruited from other sources. The large sample size permitted the exploration of a number of models of vitamin B6 deficiency and low vitamin B6 status that confirmed the increased relative risk of vascular disease with lower vitamin concentrations. Risk fell with rising vitamin B6 concentrations and was independent of traditional risk factors. Adjustment for fasting, postload, and increase in homocysteine concentrations did not abolish this effect. High homocysteine concentrations often follow a methionine load1 2 3 4 16 21 22 and have been ascribed to cystathionine ß-synthase deficiency.2 4 In such patients, however, deficiency of vitamin B6 may be a more satisfactory explanation, because the loading test may be abnormal in such case subjects31 and the gene frequency for cystathionine ß-synthase deficiency is low.20 36 Other studies have also pointed to an increase in coronary artery disease risk with lower vitamin B6 concentrations.14 33 In the study of Selhub et al,13 a relationship between lower vitamin B6 levels and carotid disease was seen that diminished when adjusted for homocysteine. In other studies,37 38 arterial lesions have been seen in animals given pyridoxine-deficient diets. The mechanism for the vascular damage is unclear, although vitamin B6 may alter platelet function,39 40 cholesterol concentrations,41 and antithrombin III activity41 as well as homocysteine concentrations.2 3 42 43 44

In summary, low concentrations of folate and vitamin B6 are often associated with high homocysteine concentrations. Lower levels of both these vitamins confer an increased risk of vascular disease. This risk may be mediated through homocysteine in the case of folate but not in the case of vitamin B6. Such vitamin levels are commonplace in the population and include many individuals now thought to have vitamin concentrations in a normal range. The abnormalities may be readily reversed by folic acid either alone45 46 or in combination with vitamins B12 and B6.44 47 Intervention studies are now required to test the effects of such treatment on the primary and secondary prevention of vascular disease.


*    Appendix 1
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
*Appendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Other Investigators in the European Concerted Action Project
Isabella Higgins (Department of Cardiology, Adelaide Hospital, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland); Armando Sales Lúis (Servico de Medicina, Hospital de S. Francisco Xavier Lisbon, Portugal); Richard Sheahan (Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston); Bo Israelsson (Department of Medicine, Malmo General Hospital, Malmo, Sweden); Dorothy McMaster and Alun Evans (Department of Medicine, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland); Petra Verhoef (Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Agricultural University, Wageningen, Netherlands); Cuno Uiterwaal (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, Netherlands); Generoso Andria (Facolta di Medicina e Chirurgia, Universita degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II, Naples, Italy); Hélene Bellet (Laboratoire de Medicine Experimentale, Institut de Biologie, Montpelier, France); Claude Wautrecht (Service de Pathologie Vasculaire, Clinique Médicale, University Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium); Harald de Valk (Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Utrecht, Netherlands); Françoise Parrot Roulaud (Département Chromatographie, Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France); Kok Soon Tan (Department of Cardiology, Toa Payoh Hospital, Singapore); Danielle Garçon (Laboratoire de Biochimie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Marseille, France); Maria José Medrano (Instituto de Salud "Carlos III", Centro Nacional de Epidemiologia, Madrid, Spain); Mirande Candito (Laboratoire de Biochimie, Hôpital Pasteur, Nice, France).


*    Acknowledgments
 
We acknowledge with gratitude the funding for this work partially supplied by the following research organizations: Irish Heart Foundation; The Irish Health Research Board; The Norwegian Council on Cardiovascular Diseases and the Norwegian Research Council; The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research; The Foundation for Metabolic Research of Utrecht; The Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association; Instituto Nacional de Investigacao Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social; FIS No. 92/0914E, Spain; Progetto strategico "Farmaci per malattie orfane" nell'ambito del sottoprogetto Omocistinuria, CNF Roma, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy; S.A. Roche, Brussels; The Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation; The Swedish Medical Research Council; and several other bodies.


*    Footnotes
 
1 For a complete list of investigators and their affiliations, please see the "Appendix." Back

Received June 5, 1997; revision received November 17, 1997; accepted November 17, 1997.


*    References
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
up arrowAppendix 1
*References
 
1. Wilcken DEL, Wilcken B. The pathogenesis of coronary artery disease: a possible role for methionine metabolism. J Clin Invest. 1976;57:1079–1082.

2. Boers GHJ, Smals AGH, Trijbels FJM, Fowler B, Bakkeren JAJM, Schoonderwaldt HC, Kleijer WJ, Kloppenborg PWC. Heterozygosity for homocystinuria in premature peripheral and cerebral occlusive arterial disease. N Engl J Med. 1985;313:709–715.[Abstract]

3. Brattström L, Israelsson B, Norrving B, Bergqvist D, Thörne J, Hultberg B, Hamfelt A. Impaired homocysteine metabolism in early-onset cerebral and peripheral occlusive arterial disease: effects of pyridoxine and folic acid treatment. Atherosclerosis. 1990;81:51–60.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

4. Clarke R, Daly L, Robinson K, Naughten E, Cahalane S, Fowler B, Graham I. Hyperhomocysteinemia: an independent risk factor for vascular disease. N Engl J Med. 1991;324:1149–1155.[Abstract]

5. Malinow MR, Kang SS, Taylor LM, Wong PWK, Coull B, Inahara T, Mukerjee D, Sexton G, Upson B. Prevalence of hyperhomocyst(e)inemia in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Circulation. 1989;79:1180–1188.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

6. Taylor LM Jr, DeFrang RD, Harris J Jr, Porter JM. The association of elevated plasma homocyst(e)ine with progression of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. J Vasc Surg. 1991;13:128–136.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

7. Arnesen E, Refsum H, Bonaa KH, Ueland PM, Forde OH, Nordrehaug JE. Serum total homocysteine and coronary heart disease. Int J Epidemiol. 1995;24:704–709.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

8. Brattström L, Lindgren A, Israelsson B, Malinow MR, Norrving B, Upson B, Hamfelt A. Hyperhomocysteinaemia in stroke: prevalence, cause and relationships to type of stroke and stroke risk factors. Eur J Clin Invest. 1992;22:214–221.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

9. Stampfer MJ, Malinow MR, Willett WC, Newcomer LM, Upson B, Ullmann D, Tishler PV, Hennekens CH. A prospective study of plasma homocyst(e)ine and risk of myocardial infarction in US physicians. JAMA. 1992;268:877–881.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

10. Dudman NPB, Wilcken DEL, Wang J, Lynch JF, Macey D, Lundberg P. Disordered methionine/homocysteine metabolism in premature vascular disease: its occurrence, cofactor therapy, and enzymology. Arterioscler Thromb. 1993;13:1253–1260.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

11. Wu LL, Wu J, Hunt SC, James BC, Vincent GM, Williams RR, Hopkins PN. Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for early familial coronary artery disease. Clin Chem. 1994;40:552–561.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

12. Pancharuniti N, Lewis CA, Sauberlich HE, Perkins LL, Go RCP, Alvarez JO, Macaluso M, Acton RT, Copeland RB, Cousins AL, Gore TB, Cornwell PE, Roseman JM. Plasma homocyst(e)ine, folate, and vitamin B12 concentrations and risk for early-onset coronary artery disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;59:940–948.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

13. Selhub J, Jacques PF, Bostom AG, D'Agostino RB, Wilson PWF, Belanger AJ, O'Leary DH, Wolf PA, Schaefer EJ, Rosenberg IH. Association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and extracranial carotid artery stenosis. N Engl J Med. 1995;332:286–291.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

14. Robinson K, Mayer EL, Miller D, Green R, van Lente F, Gupta A, Kottke-Marchant K, Savon S, Selhub J, Nissen SE, Kutner M, Topol EJ, Jacobsen DW. Hyperhomocysteinemia and low pyridoxal phosphate: common and independent reversible risk factors for coronary artery disease. Circulation. 1995;92:2825–2830.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

15. Graham IM, Daly LE, Refsum HM, Robinson K, Brattström L, Ueland P, Palma-Reis R, Boers G, Sheahan R, Israelsson B, Uiterwaal CS, Meleady R. Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for vascular disease: the European Concerted Action Project. JAMA. 1997;277:1775–1781.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

16. Boushey CJ, Beresford SA, Omenn GC, Motulsky AG. A quantitative assessment of plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for vascular disease: probable benefits of increasing folic acid intakes. JAMA. 1995;274:1049–1057.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

17. Stabler SP, Marcell PD, Podell ER, Allen RH, Savage DG, Lindenbaum J. Elevation of total homocysteine in the serum of patients with cobalamin or folate deficiency detected by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Clin Invest. 1988;81:466–474.

18. Brattström LE, Israelsson B, Lindgärde F, Hultberg B. Higher total plasma homocysteine in vitamin B12 deficiency than in heterozygosity for homocystinuria due to cystathionine ß-synthase deficiency. Metabolism. 1988;37:175–178.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

19. Selhub J, Jacques PF, Wilson PWF, Rush D, Rosenberg IH. Vitamin status and intake as primary determinants of homocysteinemia in an elderly population. JAMA. 1993;270:2693–2698.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

20. Mudd SH, Levy HL, Skovby F. Disorders of transsulfuration. In: Scriver CR, Beaudet AL, Sly WS, Valle D, eds. The Metabolic Basis of Inherited Disease. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 1995:1279–1327.

21. Ueland PM, Refsum H, Brattström L. Plasma homocysteine and cardiovascular disease. In: Francis RB Jr, ed. Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Hemostasis, and Endothelial Function. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker Inc; 1992:183–236.

22. Mayer EM, Jacobsen DW, Robinson K. Homocysteine and coronary atherosclerosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1996;27:517–527.[Abstract]

23. Rosenblatt DS. Inherited disorders of folate transport and metabolism. In: Scriver CR, Beaudet AL, Sly WS, Valle D, eds. The Metabolic Basis of Inherited Disease. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1995:3111–3128.

24. Frosst P, Blom HJ, Milos R, Goyette P, Sheppard CA, Matthews RG, Boers GJH, den Heijer M, Kluijtmans LAJ. A candidate genetic risk factor for vascular disease: a common mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Nat Genet. 1995;10:111–113.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

25. Kang S-S, Wong PWK, Susmano A, Sora J, Norusis M, Ruggie N. Thermolabile methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase: an inherited risk factor for coronary artery disease. Am J Hum Genet. 1991;48:536–545.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

26. Boers G. Refinement of the methionine loading test. In: Robinson K, ed. Homocysteinaemia and Vascular Disease. Proceedings of an EC COMAC Epidemiology Expert Group Workshop. Luxembourg, Belgium: Commissioners of the European Communities; 1990:61–66.

27. Fiskerstrand T, Refsum H, Kvalheim G, Ueland PM. Homocysteine and other thiols in plasma and urine: automated determination and sample stability. Clin Chem. 1993;39:263–271.[Abstract]

28. Chen IW, Silberstein EB, Maxon HR, Volle CP, Sohnlein BH. Semiautomated system for simultaneous assays of serum vitamin B12 and folic acid in serum evaluated. Clin Chem. 1982;28:2161–2165.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

29. Hamfelt A. A simplified method for determination of pyridoxal phosphate in biological samples. Ups J Med Sci. 1986;91:105–109.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

30. Tietz NW, ed. Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1995.

31. Leklem JJ. Vitamin B6. In: Shils ME, Olson JA, Shike M, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health, Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lea & Febiger; 1994:383–394.

32. Brattström L, Lindgren A, Israelson B, Andersson A, Hultberg B. Homocysteine and cysteine: determinants of plasma levels in middle-aged and elderly subjects. J Int Med. 1994;236:633–641.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

33. Morrison HI, Schaubel D, Desmeules M, Wigle DT. Serum folate and risk of fatal coronary heart disease. JAMA. 1996;275:1893–1896.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

34. Kok FJ, Schrijver J, Hofman A, Witteman JC, Kruyssen DA, Remme WJ, Valkenburg HA. Low vitamin B6 status in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol. 1989;63:513–516.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

35. Vermaak WJH, Barnard HC, Potgieter GM, Theron H du T. Vitamin B6 and coronary artery disease: epidemiological observations and case studies. Atherosclerosis. 1987;63:235–238.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

36. Vermaak WJ, Barnard HC, Van Dalen EM, Potgieter GM, Van Jaarsveld H, Myburgh SJ. Compartmentalization of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate during the acute phase of myocardial infarction. Klin Wochenschr. 1988;66:428–433.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

37. Rinehart JF, Greenberg LD. Arteriosclerotic lesions in pyridoxine-deficient monkeys. Am J Pathol. 1949;25:481–491.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

38. Smolin LA, Crenshaw TD, Kurtycz D, Benevenga NJ. Homocyst(e)ine accumulation in pigs fed diets deficient in vitamin B-6: relationship to atherosclerosis. J Nutr. 1983;113:2122–2133.

39. Krishnamurthi S, Kakkar VV. Studies on the effect of platelet inhibitors on platelet adhesion to collagen and collagen-induced human platelet activation. Thromb Haemost. 1985;53:337–342.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

40. Subbarao K, Kuchibhotla J, Kakkar VV. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate: a new physiological inhibitor of blood coagulation and platelet function. Biochem Pharmacol. 1979;28:531–534.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

41. Brattström L, Stavenow L, Galvard H, Nilsson-Ehle P, Berntorp E, Jerntorp P, Elmstahl S, Pessah-Rasmussen H. Pyridoxine reduces cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein and increases antithrombin III activity in 80-year-old men with low plasma pyridoxal 5-phosphate. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1990;50:873–877.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

42. Franken DG, Boers GHJ, Blom HJ, Trijbels FJM, Kloppenborg PWC. Treatment of mild hyperhomocysteinemia in vascular disease patients. Arterioscler Thromb. 1994;14:465–470.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

43. Ryan M, Robinson K, Clarke R, Refsum R, Ueland P, Graham I. Vitamin B6 and folate reduce homocysteine concentrations in coronary artery disease. Ir J Med Sci. 1993;162:197A. Abstract.

44. Naurath HJ, Joosten E, Reizler R, Stabler SP, Allen RH, Lindenbaum J. Effects of vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin B6 supplements in elderly people with normal serum vitamin concentrations. Lancet. 1995;346:85–89.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

45. Brattström LE, Israelsson B, Jeppsson J-O, Hultberg BL. Folic acid: an innocuous means to reduce plasma homocysteine. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1988;48:215–221.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

46. Landgren F, Israelsson B, Lindgren A, Hultberg B, Andersson A, Brattström L. Plasma homocysteine in acute myocardial infarction: homocysteine-lowering effect of folic acid. J Intern Med. 1995;237:381–388.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

47. Ubbink JB, Vermaak WJH, van der Merwe A, Becker PJ. Vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, and folate nutritional status in men with hyperhomocysteinemia. Am J Clin Nutr. 1993;57:47–53.[Abstract/Free Full Text]




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
J. H Holstein, M. Herrmann, C. Splett, W. Herrmann, P. Garcia, T. Histing, S. Graeber, M. F. Ong, K. Kurz, T. Siebel, et al.
Low serum folate and vitamin B-6 are associated with an altered cancellous bone structure in humans
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2009; 90(5): 1440 - 1445.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
Y. Lamers, B. O'Rourke, L. R Gilbert, C. Keeling, D. E Matthews, P. W Stacpoole, and J. F Gregory III
Vitamin B-6 restriction tends to reduce the red blood cell glutathione synthesis rate without affecting red blood cell or plasma glutathione concentrations in healthy men and women
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, August 1, 2009; 90(2): 336 - 343.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.Home page
J. E. Lee, H. Li, E. Giovannucci, I-M. Lee, J. Selhub, M. Stampfer, and J. Ma
Prospective Study of Plasma Vitamin B6 and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Men
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., April 1, 2009; 18(4): 1197 - 1202.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
H. F. Nijhout, J. F. Gregory, C. Fitzpatrick, E. Cho, K. Y. Lamers, C. M. Ulrich, and M. C. Reed
A Mathematical Model Gives Insights into the Effects of Vitamin B-6 Deficiency on 1-Carbon and Glutathione Metabolism
J. Nutr., April 1, 2009; 139(4): 784 - 791.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
Y. Lamers, J. Williamson, M. Ralat, E. P. Quinlivan, L. R. Gilbert, C. Keeling, R. D. Stevens, C. B. Newgard, P. M. Ueland, K. Meyer, et al.
Moderate Dietary Vitamin B-6 Restriction Raises Plasma Glycine and Cystathionine Concentrations While Minimally Affecting the Rates of Glycine Turnover and Glycine Cleavage in Healthy Men and Women
J. Nutr., March 1, 2009; 139(3): 452 - 460.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JAMAHome page
M. Ebbing, O. Bleie, P. M. Ueland, J. E. Nordrehaug, D. W. Nilsen, S. E. Vollset, H. Refsum, E. K. Ringdal Pedersen, and O. Nygard
Mortality and Cardiovascular Events in Patients Treated With Homocysteine-Lowering B Vitamins After Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Controlled Trial
JAMA, August 20, 2008; 300(7): 795 - 804.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
C. Weikert, J. Dierkes, K. Hoffmann, K. Berger, D. Drogan, K. Klipstein-Grobusch, J. Spranger, M. Mohlig, C. Luley, and H. Boeing
B Vitamin Plasma Levels and the Risk of Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack in a German Cohort
Stroke, November 1, 2007; 38(11): 2912 - 2918.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
J. Dierkes, C. Weikert, K. Klipstein-Grobusch, S. Westphal, C. Luley, M. Mohlig, J. Spranger, and H. Boeing
Plasma pyridoxal-5-phosphate and future risk of myocardial infarction in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Potsdam cohort
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2007; 86(1): 214 - 220.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
C. P. Lima, S. R. Davis, A. D. Mackey, J. B. Scheer, J. Williamson, and J. F. Gregory III
Vitamin B-6 Deficiency Suppresses the Hepatic Transsulfuration Pathway but Increases Glutathione Concentration in Rats Fed AIN-76A or AIN-93G Diets
J. Nutr., August 1, 2006; 136(8): 2141 - 2147.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
PediatricsHome page
K. E. MacKenzie, E. J. Wiltshire, R. Gent, C. Hirte, L. Piotto, and J. J. Couper
Folate and Vitamin B6 Rapidly Normalize Endothelial Dysfunction In Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Pediatrics, July 1, 2006; 118(1): 242 - 253.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NEJMHome page
K. H. Bonaa, I. Njolstad, P. M. Ueland, H. Schirmer, A. Tverdal, T. Steigen, H. Wang, J. E. Nordrehaug, E. Arnesen, K. Rasmussen, et al.
Homocysteine Lowering and Cardiovascular Events after Acute Myocardial Infarction
N. Engl. J. Med., April 13, 2006; 354(15): 1578 - 1588.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Clin. Chem.Home page
O. Midttun, S. Hustad, E. Solheim, J. Schneede, and P. M. Ueland
Multianalyte Quantification of Vitamin B6 and B2 Species in the Nanomolar Range in Human Plasma by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Clin. Chem., July 1, 2005; 51(7): 1206 - 1216.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
J. J. Carrero, E. Lopez-Huertas, L. M. Salmeron, L. Baro, and E. Ros
Daily Supplementation with (n-3) PUFAs, Oleic Acid, Folic Acid, and Vitamins B-6 and E Increases Pain-Free Walking Distance and Improves Risk Factors in Men with Peripheral Vascular Disease
J. Nutr., June 1, 2005; 135(6): 1393 - 1399.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
A.M.W. Spijkerman, Y.M. Smulders, P.J. Kostense, R.M.A. Henry, A. Becker, T. Teerlink, C. Jakobs, J.M. Dekker, G. Nijpels, R.J. Heine, et al.
S-Adenosylmethionine and 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Are Associated With Endothelial Function After Controlling for Confounding by Homocysteine: The Hoorn Study
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, April 1, 2005; 25(4): 778 - 784.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
S. R Davis, J. B Scheer, E. P Quinlivan, B. S Coats, P. W Stacpoole, and J. F Gregory III
Dietary vitamin B-6 restriction does not alter rates of homocysteine remethylation or synthesis in healthy young women and men
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2005; 81(3): 648 - 655.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
J. Dierkes, K. Hoffmann, K. Klipstein-Grobusch, C. Weikert, H. Boeing, B.-C. Zyriax, E. Windler, and J. Kratzsch
Low plasma pyridoxal-5'phosphate and cardiovascular disease risk in women: results from the Coronary Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis in Women Study
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2005; 81(3): 725 - 727.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
MutagenesisHome page
B. Smolkova, M. Dusinska, K. Raslova, M. Barancokova, A. Kazimirova, A. Horska, V. Spustova, and A. Collins
Folate levels determine effect of antioxidant supplementation on micronuclei in subjects with cardiovascular risk
Mutagenesis, November 1, 2004; 19(6): 469 - 476.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
O. Bleie, H. Refsum, P. M. Ueland, S. E. Vollset, A. B. Guttormsen, E. Nexo, J. Schneede, J. E. Nordrehaug, and O. Nygard
Changes in basal and postmethionine load concentrations of total homocysteine and cystathionine after B vitamin intervention
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2004; 80(3): 641 - 648.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
C. Cantu, E. Alonso, A. Jara, L. Martinez, C. Rios, M. d. l. A. Fernandez, I. Garcia, and F. Barinagarrementeria
Hyperhomocysteinemia, Low Folate and Vitamin B12 Concentrations, and Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase Mutation in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
Stroke, August 1, 2004; 35(8): 1790 - 1794.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
VASC ENDOVASCULAR SURGHome page
R. H. Samson, Z. Yungst, and D. P. Showalter
Homocysteine, a Risk Factor for Carotid Atherosclerosis, Is Not a Risk Factor for Early Recurrent Carotid Stenosis Following Carotid Endarterectomy
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, July 1, 2004; 38(4): 345 - 348.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
C. A. Perry, S. A. Renna, E. Khitun, M. Ortiz, D. J. Moriarty, and M. A. Caudill
Ethnicity and Race Influence the Folate Status Response to Controlled Folate Intakes in Young Women
J. Nutr., July 1, 2004; 134(7): 1786 - 1792.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
S. Friso, D. Girelli, N. Martinelli, O. Olivieri, V. Lotto, C. Bozzini, F. Pizzolo, G. Faccini, F. Beltrame, and R. Corrocher
Low plasma vitamin B-6 concentrations and modulation of coronary artery disease risk
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2004; 79(6): 992 - 998.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
W. K. Al-Delaimy, K. M. Rexrode, F. B. Hu, C. M. Albert, M. J. Stampfer, W. C. Willett, and J. E. Manson
Folate Intake and Risk of Stroke Among Women
Stroke, June 1, 2004; 35(6): 1259 - 1263.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
T. E. Patrick, R. W. Powers, A. R. Daftary, R. B. Ness, and J. M. Roberts
Homocysteine and Folic Acid Are Inversely Related in Black Women With Preeclampsia
Hypertension, June 1, 2004; 43(6): 1279 - 1282.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
K. L Tucker, B. Olson, P. Bakun, G. E Dallal, J. Selhub, and I. H Rosenberg
Breakfast cereal fortified with folic acid, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 increases vitamin concentrations and reduces homocysteine concentrations: a randomized trial
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2004; 79(5): 805 - 811.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
P.J. Kelly, J.P. Kistler, V.E. Shih, R. Mandell, N. Atassi, M. Barron, H. Lee, S. Silveira, and K.L. Furie
Inflammation, Homocysteine, and Vitamin B6 Status After Ischemic Stroke
Stroke, January 1, 2004; 35(1): 12 - 15.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
L. Hao, J. Ma, M. J. Stampfer, A. Ren, Y. Tian, Y. Tang, W. C. Willett, and Z. Li
Geographical, Seasonal and Gender Differences in Folate Status among Chinese Adults
J. Nutr., November 1, 2003; 133(11): 3630 - 3635.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
K.-i. Sasaki, J. Duan, T. Murohara, H. Ikeda, S. Shintani, T. Shimada, T. Akita, K. Egami, and T. Imaizumi
Rescue of hypercholesterolemia-related impairment of angiogenesis by oral folate supplementation
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 16, 2003; 42(2): 364 - 372.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
P. J. Kelly, V. E. Shih, J. P. Kistler, M. Barron, H. Lee, R. Mandell, and K. L. Furie
Low Vitamin B6 but Not Homocyst(e)ine Is Associated With Increased Risk of Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack in the Era of Folic Acid Grain Fortification
Stroke, June 1, 2003; 34 (6): e51 - e54.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
M. Chandalia, N. Abate, A. V. Cabo-Chan Jr., S. Devaraj, I. Jialal, and S. M. Grundy
Hyperhomocysteinemia in Asian Indians Living in the United States
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2003; 88(3): 1089 - 1095.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
E. P Quinlivan and J. F Gregory III
Effect of food fortification on folic acid intake in the United States
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2003; 77(1): 221 - 225.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Clin. Chem.Home page
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]


Home page
Am J EpidemiolHome page
U. Lim and P. A. Cassano
Homocysteine and Blood Pressure in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994
Am. J. Epidemiol., December 15, 2002; 156(12): 1105 - 1113.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Clin. Chem.Home page
Q. Han, M. Xu, L. Tang, X. Tan, X. Tan, Y. Tan, and R. M. Hoffman
Homogeneous, Nonradioactive, Enzymatic Assay for Plasma Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate
Clin. Chem., September 1, 2002; 48(9): 1560 - 1564.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JAMAHome page
K. M. Fairfield and R. H. Fletcher
Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults: Scientific Review
JAMA, June 19, 2002; 287(23): 3116 - 3126.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
E. B. Feldman
The Scientific Evidence for a Beneficial Health Relationship Between Walnuts and Coronary Heart Disease
J. Nutr., May 1, 2002; 132(5): 1062S - 1101.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Int J EpidemiolHome page
E. S Ford, S J. Smith, D. F Stroup, K. K Steinberg, P. W Mueller, and S. B Thacker
Homocyst(e)ine and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review of the evidence with special emphasis on case-control studies and nested case-control studies
Int. J. Epidemiol., February 1, 2002; 31(1): 59 - 70.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
M.C. Verhaar, E. Stroes, and T.J. Rabelink
Folates and Cardiovascular Disease
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, January 1, 2002; 22(1): 6 - 13.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
P. Madonna, V. de Stefano, A. Coppola, F. Cirillo, A. M. Cerbone, G. Orefice, and G. Di Minno
Hyperhomocysteinemia and Other Inherited Prothrombotic Conditions in Young Adults With a History of Ischemic Stroke
Stroke, January 1, 2002; 33(1): 51 - 56.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
J. W. Auer, R. Berent, B. Eber, S. Friso, P. F. Jacques, I. H. Rosenberg, J. Selhub, and P. W.F. Wilson
Lack of Association of Increased C-Reactive Protein and Total Plasma Homocysteine Response
Circulation, December 18, 2001; 104 (25): e164 - e164.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
G. J. Cuskelly, P. W. Stacpoole, J. Williamson, T. G. Baumgartner, and J. F. Gregory III
Deficiencies of folate and vitamin B6 exert distinct effects on homocysteine, serine, and methionine kinetics
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, December 1, 2001; 281(6): E1182 - E1190.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NEJMHome page
G. Schnyder, M. Roffi, R. Pin, Y. Flammer, H. Lange, F. R. Eberli, B. Meier, Z. G. Turi, and O. M. Hess
Decreased Rate of Coronary Restenosis after Lowering of Plasma Homocysteine Levels
N. Engl. J. Med., November 29, 2001; 345(22): 1593 - 1600.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
M. Cattaneo, R. Lombardi, A. Lecchi, P. Bucciarelli, and P. M. Mannucci
Low Plasma Levels of Vitamin B6 Are Independently Associated With a Heightened Risk of Deep-Vein Thrombosis
Circulation, November 13, 2001; 104(20): 2442 - 2446.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Vasc MedHome page
T. Mueller, B. Furtmueller, J. Aigelsdorfer, C. Luft, W. Poelz, and M. Haltmayer
Total serum homocysteine - a predictor of extracranial carotid artery stenosis in male patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease
Vascular Medicine, August 1, 2001; 6(3): 163 - 167.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
S. Friso, P. F. Jacques, P. W.F. Wilson, I. H. Rosenberg, and J. Selhub
Low Circulating Vitamin B6 Is Associated With Elevation of the Inflammation Marker C-Reactive Protein Independently of Plasma Homocysteine Levels
Circulation, June 12, 2001; 103(23): 2788 - 2791.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
S. Voutilainen, T. H. Rissanen, J. Virtanen, T. A. Lakka, and J. T. Salonen
Low Dietary Folate Intake Is Associated With an Excess Incidence of Acute Coronary Events : The Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study
Circulation, June 5, 2001; 103(22): 2674 - 2680.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart J SupplHome page
M. de Lorgeril, P. Salen, F. Laporte, and J. de Leiris
Alpha-linolenic acid in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease
Eur. Heart J. Suppl., June 1, 2001; 3(suppl_D): D26 - D32.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart J SupplHome page
T.D. Barringer
Dietary fats in the prevention of coronary heart disease: the need for more clinical trials
Eur. Heart J. Suppl., June 1, 2001; 3(suppl_D): D79 - D84.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
L. El-Khairy, P. M. Ueland, H. Refsum, I. M. Graham, and S. E. Vollset
Plasma Total Cysteine as a Risk Factor for Vascular Disease : The European Concerted Action Project
Circulation, May 29, 2001; 103(21): 2544 - 2549.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
M. C McKinley, H. McNulty, J. McPartlin, J. Strain, K. Pentieva, M. Ward, D. G Weir, and J. M Scott
Low-dose vitamin B-6 effectively lowers fasting plasma homocysteine in healthy elderly persons who are folate and riboflavin replete
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2001; 73(4): 759 - 764.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
E. Nurk, G. S. Tell, O. Nygård, H. Refsum, P. M. Ueland, and S. E. Vollset
Plasma Total Homocysteine Is Influenced by Prandial Status in Humans: The Hordaland Homocysteine Study
J. Nutr., April 1, 2001; 131(4): 1214 - 1216.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
R. M. Krauss, R. H. Eckel, B. Howard, L. J. Appel, S. R. Daniels, R. J. Deckelbaum, J. W. Erdman Jr, P. Kris-Etherton, I. J. Goldberg, T. A. Kotchen, et al.
AHA Scientific Statement: AHA Dietary Guidelines: Revision 2000: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association
J. Nutr., January 1, 2001; 131(1): 132 - 146.
[Full Text]


Home page
Arch Intern MedHome page
B. K. Nallamothu, A. M. Fendrick, M. Rubenfire, S. Saint, R. R. Bandekar, and G. S. Omenn
Potential Clinical and Economic Effects of Homocyst(e)ine Lowering
Arch Intern Med, December 11, 2000; 160(22): 3406 - 3412.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
M. L McCullough, D. Feskanich, M. J Stampfer, B. A Rosner, F. B Hu, D. J Hunter, J. N Variyam, G. A Colditz, and W. C Willett
Adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and risk of major chronic disease in women
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2000; 72(5): 1214 - 1222.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
R. M. Krauss, R. H. Eckel, B. Howard, L. J. Appel, S. R. Daniels, R. J. Deckelbaum, J. W. Erdman Jr, P. Kris-Etherton, I. J. Goldberg, T. A. Kotchen, et al.
AHA Dietary Guidelines : Revision 2000: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association
Stroke, November 1, 2000; 31(11): 2751 - 2766.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
R. M. Krauss, R. H. Eckel, B. Howard, L. J. Appel, S. R. Daniels, R. J. Deckelbaum, J. W. Erdman Jr, P. Kris-Etherton, I. J. Goldberg, T. A. Kotchen, et al.
AHA Dietary Guidelines : Revision 2000: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association
Circulation, October 31, 2000; 102(18): 2284 - 2299.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Am. Coll. Nutr.Home page
D. L. McKay, G. Perrone, H. Rasmussen, G. Dallal, W. Hartman, G. Cao, R. L. Prior, R. Roubenoff, and J. B. Blumberg
The Effects of a Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement on Micronutrient Status, Antioxidant Capacity and Cytokine Production in Healthy Older Adults Consuming a Fortified Diet
J. Am. Coll. Nutr., October 1, 2000; 19(5): 613 - 621.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Am. Coll. Nutr.Home page
W. O. Song and J. M. Kerver
Nutritional Contribution of Eggs to American Diets
J. Am. Coll. Nutr., October 1, 2000; 19(90005): 556S - 562.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
L. Brattstrom and D. E. Wilcken
Homocysteine and cardiovascular disease: cause or effect?
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, August 1, 2000; 72(2): 315 - 323.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
G. E. Cooke, G. M. Eaton, G. Whitby, R. A. Kennedy, P. F. Binkley, M. L. Moeschberger, and C. V. Leier
Plasma atherogenic markers in congestive heart failure and posttransplant (heart) patients
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 1, 2000; 36(2): 509 - 516.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CMAJHome page
G. L. Booth, E. E.L. Wang, and with the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health
Preventive health care, 2000 update: screening and management of hyperhomocysteinemia for the prevention of coronary artery disease events
Can. Med. Assoc. J., July 1, 2000; 163(1): 21 - 29.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
R. H. Boger, S. M. Bode-Boger, K. Sydow, D. D. Heistad, and S. R. Lentz
Plasma Concentration of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, an Endogenous Inhibitor of Nitric Oxide Synthase, Is Elevated in Monkeys With Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia or Hypercholesterolemia
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, June 1, 2000; 20(6): 1557 - 1564.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
J. W. Eikelboom, G. J. Hankey, S. S. Anand, E. Lofthouse, N. Staples, and R. I. Baker
Association Between High Homocyst(e)ine and Ischemic Stroke due to Large- and Small-Artery Disease but Not Other Etiologic Subtypes of Ischemic Stroke
Stroke, May 1, 2000; 31(5): 1069 - 1075.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Neuroradiol.Home page
J. J. Connors III, D. Seidenwurm, J. C. Wojak, R. W. Hurst, M. E. Jensen, R. Wallace, T. Tomsick, J. Barr, C. Kerber, E. Russell, et al.
Treatment of Atherosclerotic Disease at the Cervical Carotid Bifurcation: Current Status and Review of the Literature
AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., March 1, 2000; 21(3): 444 - 450.
[Full Text]


Home page
Clin. Chem.Home page
M. A. Mansoor, C. Bergmark, S. J. Haswell, I. F. Savage, P. H. Evans, R. K. Berge, A. M. Svardal, and O. Kristensen
Correlation between Plasma Total Homocysteine and Copper in Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease
Clin. Chem., March 1, 2000; 46(3): 385 - 391.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
K. ROBINSON
Homocysteine, B vitamins, and risk of cardiovascular disease
Heart, February 1, 2000; 83(2): 127 - 130.
[Full Text]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
B. N. Ames
Cancer prevention and diet: Help from single nucleotide polymorphisms
PNAS, October 26, 1999; 96(22): 12216 - 12218.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ANN INTERN MEDHome page
J. W. Eikelboom, E. Lonn, J. Genest Jr., G. Hankey, and S. Yusuf
Homocyst(e)ine and Cardiovascular Disease: A Critical Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence
Ann Intern Med, September 7, 1999; 131(5): 363 - 375.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
S. J. Kittner, W. H. Giles, R. F. Macko, J. R. Hebel, M. A. Wozniak, R. J. Wityk, P. D. Stolley, B. J. Stern, M. A. Sloan, R. Sherwin, et al.
Homocyst(e)ine and Risk of Cerebral Infarction in a Biracial Population : The Stroke Prevention in Young Women Study
Stroke, August 1, 1999; 30(8): 1554 - 1560.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
L. E. P. Rohde, L. H. Arroyo, N. Rifai, M. A. Creager, P. Libby, P. M. Ridker, and R. T. Lee
Plasma Concentrations of Interleukin-6 and Abdominal Aortic Diameter Among Subjects Without Aortic Dilatation
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, July 1, 1999; 19(7): 1695 - 1699.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BMJHome page
E. M Lonn and S. Yusuf
Evidence based cardiology: Emerging approaches in preventing cardiovascular disease
BMJ, May 15, 1999; 318(7194): 1337 - 1341.
[Full Text]


Home page
HeartHome page
S L Tokgözoglu, M Alikasifoglu, I Ünsal, E Atalar, K Aytemir, N Özer, K Övünç, O Usal, S Kes, and E Tunçbilek
Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase genotype and the risk and extent of coronary artery disease in a population with low plasma folate
Heart, May 1, 1999; 81(5): 518 - 522.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
CirculationHome page
M. de Lorgeril, P. Salen, J.-L. Martin, I. Monjaud, J. Delaye, and N. Mamelle
Mediterranean Diet, Traditional Risk Factors, and the Rate of Cardiovascular Complications After Myocardial Infarction : Final Report of the Lyon Diet Heart Study
Circulation, February 16, 1999; 99(6): 779 - 785.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
M. R. Malinow, A. G. Bostom, and R. M. Krauss
Homocyst(e)ine, Diet, and Cardiovascular Diseases : A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee, American Heart Association
Circulation, January 12, 1999; 99(1): 178 - 182.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JWatch GeneralHome page
LOW FOLATE, VITAMIN B6 LEVELS PREDICT CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Journal Watch (General), February 20, 1998; 1998(220): 4 - 4.
[Full Text]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Erratum (v99,p983)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Robinson, K.
Right arrow Articles by Graham, I.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Robinson, K.
Right arrow Articles by Graham, I.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
Hazardous Substances DB
*FOLIC ACID
*PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Medline Plus Health Information
*Peripheral Arterial Disease