Elevated plasma homocysteine is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Recently, there have been conflicting reports of the relationship between physical activity and homocysteine. A more objective measure of physical activity is cardiorespiratory fitness; however, its relationship with homocysteine has yet to be investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and plasma homocysteine. Cross-sectional associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) and plasma homocysteine were examined in 49 men and 11 women. A submaximal bicycle test was used to determine VO2max and plasma homocysteine was measured using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Dietary analysis determined B vitamin intake. There was a significant inverse relationship between plasma homocysteine concentration and VO2max in women (r = -0.81, P = 0.003) but not in men (r = -0.09, P = 0.95). There were no significant relationships between plasma homocysteine and age, BMI, body fat, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. In summary, elevated cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with decreased plasma homocysteine concentrations in women.
History
Publication title
Nutrition Research: The International Medium for Rapid Publication of Communications in The Nutritional Sciences
Volume
24
Issue
8
Pagination
593-602
ISSN
0271-5317
Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Publisher
Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd
Place of publication
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Ox5 1Gb