Effects of isolated vitamin B6 supplementation on oxidative stress and heart function parameters in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isolated vitamin B6 (VB6) supplementation on experimental hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhe) induced by homocysteine thiolactone (HcyT). Methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups according to their treatment. Animals received water and food ad libitum and an intragastric probe was used to administer water for 60 days (groups: CB6, HcyT, and HB6). On the 30th day of treatment, two groups were supplemented with VB6 in the drinking water (groups: CB6 and HB6). After 60 days of treatment, homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine, and hydrogen peroxide concentration, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) immunocontent, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and GST activities were measured. Results: The HcyT group showed an increase in Hcy concentration (62%) in relation to the CB6 group. Additionally, GST immunocontent was enhanced (51%) in the HB6 group compared to the HcyT group. Also, SOD activity was lower (17%) in the HB6 group compared to the CB6 group, and CAT activity was higher in the HcyT group (53%) compared to the CB6 group. Ejection fraction (EF) was improved in the HB6 group compared to the HcyT group. E/A ratio was enhanced in the HB6 group compared to the CB6 group. Correlations were found between CAT activity with myocardial performance index (MPI) (r = 0.71; P = 0.06) and E/A ratio (r = 0.6; P = 0.01), and between EF and GST activity (r = 0.62; P = 0.02). Conclusions: These findings indicate that isolated VB6 supplementation may lead to the reduction of Hcy concentration and promotes additional benefits to oxidative stress and heart function parameters.   Keywords: Homocysteine; oxidative stress; vitamin B6

Plasmatic higher levels of homocysteine in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Background\ud Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease, which includes a spectrum of hepatic pathology such as simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. The increased serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) may be associated with hepatic fat accumulation. Genetic mutations in the folate route may only mildly impair Hcy metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between liver steatosis with plasma homocysteine level and MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in Brazilian patients with NAFLD.\ud \ud Methods\ud Thirty-five patients diagnosed with NAFLD by liver biopsy and forty-five healthy controls neither age nor sex matched were genotyped for C677T and A1298C MTHFR polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP and PCR-ASA, respectively, and Hcy was determined by HPLC. All patients were negative for markers of Wilson’s, hemochromatosis and autoimmune diseases. Their daily alcohol intake was less than 100 g/week. A set of metabolic and serum lipid markers were also measured at the time of liver biopsies.\ud \ud Results\ud The plasma Hcy level was higher in NAFLD patients compared to the control group (p = 0.0341). No statistical difference for genotypes 677C/T (p = 0.110) and 1298A/C (p = 0.343) in patients with NAFLD and control subjects was observed. The genotypes distribution was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (677C/T p = 0.694 and 1298 A/C p = 0.188). The group of patients and controls showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) for BMI and HOMA_IR, similarly to HDL cholesterol levels (p < 0,006), AST, ALT, γGT, AP and triglycerides levels (p < 0.001). A negative correlation was observed between levels of vitamin B12 and Hcy concentration (p = 0.005).\ud \ud Conclusion\ud Our results indicate that plasma Hcy was higher in NAFLD than controls. The MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms did not differ significantly between groups, despite the 677TT homozygous frequency was higher in patients (17.14%) than in controls (677TT = 4.44%) (p > 0.05). The suggested genetic susceptibility to the MTHFR C677T and A1298C should be confirmed in large population based studies.The authors acknowledge the Pernambuco University, the Pediatrics Hematology and Oncology Center of Pernambuco University, the Liver Institute of Pernambuco, Federal University of São Paulo and Department of Pediatrics for their help in data collection and clinical analyzes. The authors declare that they do not have anything to disclose regarding funding from industries or conflict of interest with respect to this manuscript

Diagnosing mucopolysaccharidosis IVA

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA; Morquio A syndrome) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder resulting from a deficiency of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) activity. Diagnosis can be challenging and requires agreement of clinical, radiographic, and laboratory findings. A group of biochemical genetics laboratory directors and clinicians involved in the diagnosis of MPS IVA, convened by BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., met to develop recommendations for diagnosis. The following conclusions were reached. Due to the wide variation and subtleties of radiographic findings, imaging of multiple body regions is recommended. Urinary glycosaminoglycan analysis is particularly problematic for MPS IVA and it is strongly recommended to proceed to enzyme activity testing even if urine appears normal when there is clinical suspicion of MPS IVA. Enzyme activity testing of GALNS is essential in diagnosing MPS IVA. Additional analyses to confirm sample integrity and rule out MPS IVB, multiple sulfatase deficiency, and mucolipidoses types II/III are critical as part of enzyme activity testing. Leukocytes or cultured dermal fibroblasts are strongly recommended for enzyme activity testing to confirm screening results. Molecular testing may also be used to confirm the diagnosis in many patients. However, two known or probable causative mutations may not be identified in all cases of MPS IVA. A diagnostic testing algorithm is presented which attempts to streamline this complex testing process

Plasma homocysteine concentration after 2, 4 and 6 months of treatment with water, methionine 0.5 and 1% solutions.

<p>(N = 9–11). CT = Control. M05 = Methionine 0.5%. M1 = Methionine 1%. * = <i>p</i>≤0.05 (Tukey's <i>post hoc</i> test) when compared with the CT group at the same period. # = <i>p</i>≤0.05 (Tukey's <i>post hoc</i> test) when compared with the M05 group at the same period. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM.</p

BDNF quantification in the frontal cortex (N = 6–10).

<p>CT = Control. M05 = Methionine 0.5%. M1 = Methionine 1%. The results are presented as the mean ± SEM.</p

Lee index results over time (N = 10–22).

<p>CT = Control. M05 = Methionine 0.5%. M1 = Methionine 1%. Data presented comprise all animals at the specific time points. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM.</p

Total object exploration in familiarization and test phases (s) of new object recognition.

<p>CT = control; M05 = Methionine 0.5%; M1 = Methionine 1%. Values presented as the mean ± SEM.</p