Folate and vitamin B12 concentrations are associated with plasma DHA and EPA fatty acids in European adolescents: the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study. Issue 1 (18th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iglesia, I.; Huybrechts, I.; González-Gross, M.; Mouratidou, T.; Santabárbara, J.; Chajès, V.; González-Gil, E. M.; Park, J. Y.; Bel-Serrat, S.; Cuenca-García, M.; Castillo, M.; Kersting, M.; Widhalm, K.; De Henauw, S.; Sjöström, M.; Gottrand, F.; Molnár, D.; Manios, Y.; Kafatos, A.; Ferrari, M.; Stehle, P.; Marcos, A.; Sánchez-Muniz, F. J.; Moreno, L. A.
• Is Part Of: British journal of nutrition. Volume 117:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 133
• Publication Date: 2017-01-18
• Subjects: Fatty acids, -- B-vitamins, -- Adolescents, -- Europe; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 572.4
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114516004414
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1145

Abstract

Abstract: This study aimed to examine the association between vitamin B6, folate and vitamin B12 biomarkers and plasma fatty acids in European adolescents. A subsample from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study with valid data on B-vitamins and fatty acid blood parameters, and all the other covariates used in the analyses such as BMI, Diet Quality Index, education of the mother and physical activity assessed by a questionnaire, was selected resulting in 674 cases (43 % males). B-vitamin biomarkers were measured by chromatography and immunoassay and fatty acids by enzymatic analyses. Linear mixed models elucidated the association between B-vitamins and fatty acid blood parameters (changes in fatty acid profiles according to change in 10 units of vitamin B biomarkers). DHA, EPA) and n -3 fatty acids showed positive associations with B-vitamin biomarkers, mainly with those corresponding to folate and vitamin B12 . Contrarily, negative associations were found with n -6: n -3 ratio, trans -fatty acids and oleic:stearic ratio. With total homocysteine (tHcy), all the associations found with these parameters were opposite (for instance, an increase of 10 nmol/l in red blood cell folate or holotranscobalamin in females produces an increase of 15·85 µmol/l of EPA ( P value <0·01), whereas an increase of 10 nmol/l of tHcy in males produces a decrease of 2·06 µmol/l of DHA ( P value <0·05). Positive associations between B-vitamins and specific fatty acids might suggest underlying mechanisms between B-vitamins and CVD and it is worth the attention of public health policies.