Rs6586282 of the CBS Gene: Its Lack of Eff ect on Homocysteine Concentrations, and Interaction Eff ects on Body Weight in Elderly Women

Abstract

Abstract.The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of the rs6586282 polymorphism of the cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) gene, and of the intake of B vitamins on anthropometric parameters, tHcy levels, and lipoprotein levels in women over 60 years of age. 122 volunteers were supplemented with 400 μg/day folic acid for 8 weeks. The intake of B vitamins above the median value was associated with lower levels of blood biomarkers: folate with tHcy post supplementation (6.21 ± 0.24 μM vs 7.11 ± 0.32 μM; p < 0.05), vitamin B6 with baseline triacylglycerol (TAG, 107.3 ± 5.5 mg/dL vs 127.2 ± 6.4 mg/dL; p < 0.05) and glucose (82.3 ± 1.1 mg/dL vs 86.9 ± 1.5 mg/dL; p < 0.05); and vitamin B12 with baseline TAG (106.8 ± 5.5 mg/dL vs 127.7 ± 6.3 mg/dL; p < 0.01). Women with a T allele consuming lower amounts of folate had higher body weight (72.3 ± 2.3 kg vs 64.0 ± 1.7 kg; p < 0.05), body mass index (28.7 ± 0.8 vs 25.2 ± 0.7; p < 0.05), waist (0.90 ± 0.02 m vs 0.82 ± 0.01 m; p < 0.01), and hip circumference (1.08 ± 0.02 vs 1.02 ± 0.01 m; p < 0.01) than the CC homozygotes. Intake of vitamin B6 or B12 may infl uence blood TAG and glucose concentrations in elderly women, but the rs6586282 polymorphism of the CBS gene does not alter either tHcy or the effectiveness of folic acid supplementation. The CBS SNP at rs6586282 may infl uence anthropometric parameters, though only in case of low folate intake.