Ethnicity does not affect the homocysteine-lowering effect of B-vitamin therapy in Singaporean stroke patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Increased total homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for stroke. This study examines whether the efficacy of B-vitamins in reducing tHcy is modified by ethnicity in a Singaporean ischemic stroke population.

METHODS:

505 patients (419 Chinese, 41 Malays and 45 Indians) with ischemic stroke were randomized to receive placebo or B-vitamins. Fasting blood samples collected at baseline and 1 year were assayed for tHcy. MTHFR polymorphisms were genotyped.

RESULTS:

Ethnicity did not independently determine tHcy at baseline. The magnitude of tHcy reduction by B-vitamin treatment was consistent across ethnic groups (Chinese -3.8+/-4.5, Malay -4.9+/-4.2, and Indian -3.3+/-3.6 micromol/L) despite ethnic differences in MTHFR genotype and baseline folic acid (FA) and vitamin B(12) (vitB(12)) concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ethnicity does not appear to affect the tHcy-lowering effect of B-vitamins, despite differences in dietary intake and prevalence of MTHFR polymorphisms. This suggests that the effect of B-vitamins in lowering tHcy is generalizable across Asian populations. However, due to relatively small numbers of non-Chinese studied, confirmation in other populations is required.

• Authors: Katherine Kasiman, John W Eikelboom, Graeme J Hankey, Samantha P-K Lee, Joanna P-Z Lim, Jasinda H-Q Lee, Hui-Meng Chang, Meng-Cheong Wong, Christopher P L-H Chen
• Journal: Stroke (Stroke) Vol. 40 Issue 6 Pg. 2209-11 (Jun 2009) ISSN: 1524-4628 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19372453 (Publication Type: Letter, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Homocysteine
• Vitamin B Complex
• Folic Acid
• Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)

Topics

• Aged
• China (ethnology)
• Diet
• Ethnicity
• Female
• Folic Acid (blood)
• Gene Frequency
• Genotype
• Homocysteine (antagonists & inhibitors, blood)
• Humans
• India (ethnology)
• Malaysia (ethnology)
• Male
• Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) (genetics)
• Middle Aged
• Risk Factors
• Singapore (epidemiology)
• Stroke (blood)
• Vitamin B Complex (therapeutic use)