Betaine as a determinant of postmethionine load total plasma homocysteine before and after B-vitamin supplementation

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#administration-oral #adult #age-factors #aged #aged-80-and-over

Betaine as a determinant of postmethionine load total plasma homocysteine before and after B-vitamin supplementation

Holm et al., 2004 | Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol | Rct

Citation

Holm Pål I, Bleie Øyvind, ... Nygård Ottar. Betaine as a determinant of postmethionine load total plasma homocysteine before and after B-vitamin supplementation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2004-Feb;24(2):301-7

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Betaine is a substrate in the betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase reaction, converting homocysteine to methionine. There are only sparse data on plasma betaine as a determinant of the plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety patients undergoing coronary angiography were randomized into 4 groups administered oral: (1) folic acid (0.8 mg), vitamin B12 (0.4 mg), and vitamin B6 (40 mg); (2) folic acid and vitamin B12; (3) vitamin B6 alone; or (4) placebo. Nonfasting blood samples were collected at baseline and 3, 14, and 28 days and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment start. A 4-hour methionine-loading test (0.1 g/kg) was performed at baseline and after 3 months. At baseline, median (interquartile range) plasma betaine was 36.9 micromol/L (range: 30.3 to 46.8) and was increased by 15% after methionine loading. The postmethionine load (PML) increase in tHcy was inversely related to plasma betaine (beta=-0.29, P=0.02) and even more strongly to PML betaine (beta=-0.47, P<0.001). After 3 months of intervention, the relation between the PML increase in tHcy and PML betaine was weakened (beta=-0.33, P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma betaine is a strong determinant of the PML increase in tHcy in subjects not supplemented with B-vitamins.

Key Findings

Ninety patients undergoing coronary angiography were randomized into 4 groups administered oral: (1) folic acid (0.8 mg), vitamin B12 (0.4 mg), and vitamin B6 (40 mg); (2) folic acid and vitamin B12; (3) vitamin B6 alone; or (4) placebo. Nonfasting blood samples were collected at baseline and 3, 14, and 28 days and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment start. A 4-hour methionine-loading test (0.1 g/kg) was performed at baseline and after 3 months. At baseline, median (interquartile range) plasma b

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Betaine
  • Choline
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Fasting
  • Female
  • Folic Acid
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Homocysteine
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methionine
  • Methyltransferases
  • Middle Aged
  • Sarcosine
  • Sex Factors
  • Vitamin B 12
  • Vitamin B 6
  • Vitamin B Complex

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: betaine

Provenance

  • PMID: 14699020
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-10 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-10