Riboflavin is a determinant of total homocysteine plasma concentrations in end-stage renal disease patients

J Am Soc Nephrol. 2002 May;13(5):1331-7. doi: 10.1097/01.asn.0000013299.11876.f6.

Abstract

The effect of thiamine (vitamin B(1)) or riboflavin (vitamin B(2)) availability on fasting total homocysteine (tHcy) plasma levels in end-stage renal disease patients is unknown. A cross-sectional study was performed in a population of non-vitamin supplemented patients maintained on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Red blood cell availability of thiamine (alpha-ETK) and of riboflavin (alpha-EGR), along with other predictors of tHcy plasma levels, was considered in the analysis. There was a linear association of alpha-EGR with tHcy plasma concentrations (P = 0.009), which was not observed for alpha-ETK. Among red blood cell vitamins, alpha-EGR was the only predictor of tHcy levels (P = 0.035), whereas alpha-ETK, red blood cell pyridoxal-5-phosphate supply (alpha-EGOT) and red blood cell folate levels had no effect. The risk for having a high tHcy plasma levels within the fourth quartile (plasma tHcy >38.3 micromol/L) was increased by an alpha-EGR > median (odds ratio, 4.706; 95% confidence interval, 1.124 to 19.704; P = 0.026). By way of contrast, alpha-ETK had no effect in these analyses. Independent predictors of tHcy plasma levels were serum albumin, alpha-EGR, red blood cell folate, and certain MTHFR genotypes. A logistic regression analysis showed that the MTHFR genotype is a predictor for having a tHcy plasma concentration within the fourth quartile. In summary, riboflavin availability, as measured by alpha-EGR, is a determinant of fasting tHcy plasma levels in peritoneal dialysis patients. This finding may have implications for tHcy lowering therapy in individuals with end-stage renal disease.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Homocysteine / blood*
  • Homocysteine / genetics
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / blood*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / genetics
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory
  • Riboflavin / blood*
  • Thiamine / blood

Substances

  • Homocysteine
  • Riboflavin
  • Thiamine