대학생의 혈청 호모시스테인 농도와 엽산 영양상태, 영양소 섭취 및 생활습관과의 관련성

Association of Serum Homocysteine Concentration and Folate Nutriture, Nutrient Intake, and Life Style in College Students

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of serum homocysteine concentration with folate nutriture, other nutrient intake, and life style factors in college students. Serum homocysteine and serum/erythrocyte folate concentrations were measured in 33 male and 50 female students. Dietary data were collected using a 24-hr recall method for three consecutive days, and other information including life style was collected with a self-administered questionnaire. Mean serum homocysteine concentrations were 7.3 and 6.9 μ㏖/I in male and female students, respectively. Serum homocysteine concentrations were negatively correlated with erythrocyte folate concentrations in males and females. Serum homocysteine concentration was inversely associated with intakes of folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Mean serum homocysteine concentrations of subgroups who had higher BMI, drank alcohol or coffee more frequently were higher than those of other subgroups. There was no association between homocysteine concentrations and smoking status or exercise. However, the number of the subjects in each subgroup was too small to draw any conclusion. Our study shows that serum homocysteine concentration was strongly related with folate intake and erythocyte folate. In addition, several dietary and other life style factors seem to be important as well. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in a larger Korean population.