Content of fatty acids in a diet and the homocysteine levels in women with fertility disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the effects of consumption of fatty acids on the homocysteine levels in women with fertility disorders. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 286 women at the age between 23 and 46 years (the mean 33.13±4.21 years) with a fertility disorders. We measured: levels of homocysteine [µmol/L] (n=171), body weight and height (n=286). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. A diet was assessed by 3-day dietary food records method including one day of the weekend. The mean homocysteine (Hcy) levels were 10.02±2.98 µmol/L. Body weight excess was observed in 29.3% of subjects. The percentage of fatty acids in the total energy [%E] it was demonstrated that the mean rate of MUFAs and PUFAs was statistically significantly lower in diets of women with the homocysteine levels >15 µmol/L compared to the group with the Hcy <10 µmol/L. Based on the results of a correlation between the homocysteine levels and consumption of n-6 fatty acids and n-3 fatty acids it is possible to conclude that there are negative correlations observed indicating that higher consumption of these acids is associated with lower levels of homocysteine. CONCLUSION: Increased consumption of PUFAs, including α-linoleic acid, in a diet seems to be an important factor preventing from hyperhomocysteinemia.

La homocisteinemia materna como factor asociado al aborto espontáneo / Maternal homocysteinemia as a factor associated with spontaneous abortion

Introducción. Dentro del concepto de «trombofilia» se agrupan una serie de trastornos hereditarios y/o genéticos del sistema coagulativo capaces de aumentar el riesgo de aborto de repetición. La hiperhomocisteinemia, incluida en este grupo, constituye una de las entidades mejor conocidas. Objetivos. Los objetivos del presente estudio son explorar la asociación de la homocisteinemia materna con el aborto espontáneo (repetido o no), establecer la prevalencia de hiperhomocisteinemia entre las pacientes abortadoras y determinar el efecto que la suplementación preconcepcional y prenatal con folatos y vitamina B12 ejerce sobre la homocisteinemia. Material y métodos. Estudio de casos y controles con apareamiento 1:1 por edad y antecedentes de aborto. Se determinó en todas ellas la homocisteinemia en ayunas, así como aquellas variables que podrían modificarla. Resultados y conclusión. La homocisteinemia es significativamente mayor en abortadoras que en controles, aunque la tasa de pacientes hiperhomocisteinémicas en la serie es muy baja. Los datos sugieren un escaso papel terapéutico para los folatos y la vitamina B12 (AU)

Introduction. The concept of "thrombophilia" encompasses a group of genetic and/or inherited disorders of the coagulative system able to increase the risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion. Hyperhomocysteinemia, an entity included in this group, is one of the best known. Objectives. Our objectives were to explore the association between maternal homocysteinemia and spontaneous (recurrent or isolated) abortion, establish the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia among patients with abortion, and determine the effect of preconceptional and prenatal supplementation with folate and vitamin B12 on homocysteinemia. Matherial and methods. We performed a case-control study with 1:1 matching based on maternal age and previous abortions. In all participants, fasting homocysteine levels, as well as the factors that could modify them, were determined. Results and conclusions. Homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in women with abortion than in controls, although the rate of hyperhomocysteinemia in the series was very low. The data do not suggest an important therapeutic role for folates or vitamin B12 in these patients(AU)