Cystatin C levels in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells among hyperhomocysteinaemic subjects: effect of treatment with B-vitamins.

Abstract

Homocysteine has been related to increased risk of CVD. Matrix degradation and inflammation may be involved in this link between hyperhomocysteinaemia and CVD. Recent studies suggest that cystatin C can modulate matrix degradation and inflammation. The present study measured cystatin C at protein (plasma) and mRNA levels (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)) in hyperhomocysteinaemic individuals (n 37, female seven and male thirty, aged 20-70 years) before and after B-vitamin supplementation for 3 months in a randomised, placebo-controlled double-blind trial. In a cross-sectional study, seventeen of the hyperhomocysteinaemic subjects were age- and sex-matched to healthy controls (n 17). Our main findings were: (i) as compared with controls, hyperhomocysteinaemic subjects tended to have higher plasma concentrations of cystatin C and lower mRNA levels of cystatin C in PBMC; (ii) compared with placebo, treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemic individuals with B-vitamins significantly increased plasma levels of cystatin C and mRNA levels of cystatin C in PBMC; (iii) while plasma levels of cystatin C were positively correlated with plasma levels of TNF receptor-1, mRNA levels of cystatin C in PBMC were inversely correlated with this TNF parameter. Taken together, our findings suggest that disturbed cystatin C levels may be a characteristic of hyperhomocysteinaemic individuals, potentially related to low-grade systemic inflammation in hyperhomocysteinaemic subjects, and that B-vitamins may modulate cystatin C levels in these individuals.

• Authors: Kari Anne R Tobin, Kirsten B Holven, Kjetil Retterstøl, Ellen Strøm, Leiv Ose, Pål Aukrust, Marit S Nenseter
• Journal: The British journal of nutrition (Br J Nutr) Vol. 102 Issue 12 Pg. 1783-9 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1475-2662 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19682403 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cystatin C
• Placebos
• RNA, Messenger
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I
• Vitamin B Complex
• Vitamin B 6
• Folic Acid
• Vitamin B 12

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Cystatin C (blood, genetics)
• Dietary Supplements
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Folic Acid (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Hyperhomocysteinemia (blood, drug therapy)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (chemistry)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Placebos
• RNA, Messenger (blood)
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I (blood)
• Vitamin B 12 (administration & dosage)
• Vitamin B 6 (administration & dosage)
• Vitamin B Complex (administration & dosage)