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Thiol and cardiovascular risk factor status in a male northern Irish population

Kevin S Edgar1, Jayne V Woodside, Paula Skidmore

  • 1Centre for Clinical and Population Science, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Nothern Ireland.

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift Fur Vitamin- Und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International De Vitaminologie Et De Nutrition
|March 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study found that plasma cysteine levels correlate with age and B-vitamin status, while cysteinyl-glycine relates to BMI. Homocysteine (tHcy) is linked to B-vitamins, diet, and MTHFR genotype, highlighting thiol roles in cardiovascular disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Nutritional Science
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Elevated plasma homocysteine is a known cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor.
  • Cysteine and cysteinyl-glycine are also being investigated for their potential roles in CVD.
  • Understanding the determinants of these thiols is crucial for CVD prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between cardiovascular disease risk factors, dietary patterns, and plasma concentrations of total cysteine, cysteinyl-glycine, and homocysteine.
  • To explore the relationship between these thiols and demographic, lifestyle, and biochemical markers.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 765 male workers aged 30-49 years.
  • Dietary habits assessed via food frequency questionnaire; BMI, smoking, blood pressure measured.
  • Analysis of serum vitamins, lipids, total plasma cysteine, cysteinyl-glycine, homocysteine, and MTHFR genotype.

Main Results:

  • Cysteine positively associated with age; negatively with serum vitamin B12 and B6.
  • Cysteinyl-glycine positively associated with BMI.
  • Homocysteine (tHcy) negatively associated with serum folate, vitamin B12, and fruit/vegetable intake; dependent on MTHFR genotype.

Conclusions:

  • Significant relationships observed between age, B-vitamins, cysteine, BMI, and cysteinyl-glycine.
  • Confirmed associations between tHcy, B-vitamins, MTHFR genotype, and diet.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the role of these thiols in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
Abstract

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