Low circulating vitamin B(6) is associated with elevation of the inflammation marker C-reactive protein independently of plasma homocysteine levels.

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Circulation 2001 Jun 12;103(23):2788-91

Low circulating vitamin B(6) is associated with elevation of the

inflammation marker C-reactive protein independently of plasma

homocysteine levels.

Friso S, Jacques PF, PW, Rosenberg IH, Selhub J.

Mayer US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research

Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.

BACKGROUND: Lower vitamin B(6) concentrations are reported to confer

an increased and independent risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The mechanism underlying this relationship, however, remains to be

defined. Other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are

associated with reduced vitamin B(6) levels. Despite a clear

distinction in pathophysiology, inflammatory reaction may be the

major link between these diseases. We hypothesized a relationship

between pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin

B(6), and the marker of inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP). We

also evaluated whether total plasma homocysteine (tHcy), a

well-defined risk factor for CVD and a major determinant of plasma

PLP levels, had a possible role as a mediator of this hypothesized

relationship. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 891 participants from

the population-based Framingham Heart Study cohort were analyzed.

Subjects were divided into 2 groups according to normal or elevated

CRP values: group 1, CRP <6 mg/L; group 2, CRP >/=6 mg/L. Plasma PLP

levels were substantially lower in group 2 than in group 1 (mean

values in group 2, 36.5 nmol/L versus 55.8 nmol/L in group 1,

P<0.001). In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for tHcy,

the association of PLP with CRP remained highly significant

(P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Low plasma PLP is associated with higher CRP

levels independently of tHcy. This observation may reflect a vitamin

B(6) utilization in the presence of an underlying inflammatory

process and represent a possible mechanism to explain the decreased

vitamin B(6) levels in CVD.

PMID: 11401933 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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