Relationship between folate, vitamin B₁₂, homocysteine, transaminase and mild cognitive impairment in China: a case-control study

Abstract

To explore the association between the levels of serum folate, vitamin B₁₂, and homocysteine (Hcy), transaminase and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Chinese elderly. A case-control study was implemented between April and October 2016. Elderly participants aged ≥60 with and without MCI (n = 118 separately) were recruited from Community Health Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin. Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated that Hcy was significantly positively correlated with alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and negative correlations were found among Hcy, Mini-Mental Status Examination score, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised by China intelligence quotient, folate and vitamin B₁₂. The associations among MCI and folate, vitamin B₁₂, Hcy and transaminase were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Lower folate levels and higher Hcy and ALT and AST levels were associated with MCI risk adjusted for multiple covariates. Increased ALT, AST, Hcy levels and lower folate levels were independently associated with the risk of MCI.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Mild cognitive impairment
• folate
• vitamin B₁₂
• alanine transaminase
• aspartate aminotransferase
• homocysteine
• elderly
• case-control study

Authors’ contributions

X.Z. conceived and led the development of this manuscript. X.Z., Q.W., Y.D. and G.W.H. conceived the research design and concept. X.Z. and P.L.A. performed the experiments. P.L.A., J.G.Z. and A.L.S. contributed to the data collection and trial methodology. X.Z. analysed the data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 81730091]; Tianjin Science and Technology Support Programme [grant number 15ZCZDSY01040]; and Nutrition Scientific Research Foundation of BY-HEALTH [grant number TY0151102].