Association of homocysteinemia with high concentrations of serum insulin and uric acid in Brazilian subjects with metabolic syndrome genotyped for C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene

Information on plasma homocysteine concentrations and their associated factors in Brazilian subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS) is nonexistent. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the association of homocysteinemia with MS components; folate and cobalamin biochemical and dietary indices of nutritional status; and genetic, anthropometric, and lifestyle factors in Brazilian subjects with MS. Waist circumference; body fat; body mass index; insulin resistance; lipid profiles; glycemia; uricemia; insulinemia; erythrocyte folate and plasma homocysteine; folate and cobalamin concentrations; C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene; coffee and alcohol intake; and smoking were determined in 63 subjects (24 males and 39 females) with MS. No difference in homocysteine plasma was observed between sexes. Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) frequency was 49.2% (n = 31) in the group studied. The distribution of MTHFR genotypes was as follows: CC, 64% (n = 42); CT, 32% (n = 19); and TT, 4% (n = 2). No association was found between Hhcy and C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene. Plasma homocysteine concentrations showed no association with age; blood pressure; dietary intakes of folate, cobalamin, and pyridoxine; body mass index; waist circumference; body fat; glycemia; lipid profile; insulin resistance; and concentrations of folate erythrocyte and plasma folate and cobalamin. Also, there was no correlation between Hhcy, sex, and lifestyle factors. In this study, the variables uricemia (C = 0.67, χ2 = 2.23, P = .27) and insulinemia (C = 0.86, χ2 = 2.98, P = .07) were positively associated with homocysteinemia. In conclusion, our results suggest that high concentrations of serum insulin and uric acid are associated with an increased risk of developing Hhcy in subjects with MS.