Relationship between vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine levels and H. Pylori infection in patients with functional dyspepsia: A cross-section study

Abstract

BackgroundH. pylori infection has been associated with many micronutrient deficiencies. There is a dearth of data from communities with nutritional deficiencies and high prevalence of H. pylori infection. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of H. pylori infection on serum levels of vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD).MethodsOne hundred and thirty-two patients with FD undergoing gastroscopy were enrolled. The serum was analyzed for B12, folate and homocysteine levels before gastroscopy. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by histopathological examination of gastric biopsies and urea breath test. An independent sample t-test and the Mann–Whitney test were used to compare mean serum concentrations of biomarkers between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative groups of patients. A Chi-square test was performed to assess the differences among proportions, while Spearman’s rho was used for correlation analysis between levels of B12 and homocysteine.ResultsThe mean age of the group was 40.3 ± 11.5 (19–72) years. Folate deficiency was seen in 43 (34.6%), B12 deficiency in 30 (23.1%) and hyperhomocysteinemia in 60 (46.2%) patients. H. pylori was present in 80 (61.5%) patients with FD while it was absent in 50 (38.5%). Mean serum levels of B12, folate and homocysteine in the H. pylori-positive group of patients were not significantly different from the levels in the H. pylori-negative group (357 ± 170 vs. 313 ± 136 pg/mL; p = 0.13), (4.35 ± 1.89 vs. 4.42 ± 1.93 ng/mL; p = 0.84); (15.88 ± 8.97 vs. 16.62 ± 7.82 μmol/L; p = 0.24); respectively.B12 deficiency (≤200 pg/mL) was 23.8% in the H. pylori-positive patients versus 22.0% in the H. pylori-negative patients. Folate deficiency (≤3.5 ng/mL) was 33.8% in the H. pylori-positive group versus 36% in the H. pylori-negative group. Hyperhomocysteinemia (>15 μmol/L) was present in 46.2% of H. pylori-positive patients compared to 44% in the H. pylori-negative group. Correlation analysis indicated that serum B12 levels were inversely associated with serum levels of homocysteine in patients with FD (rho = −0.192; p = 0.028).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated an inverse relationship between serum levels of B12 and homocysteine in patients with FD. Moreover, no impact of the presence of H. pylori was found on B12, folate and homocysteine levels in such patients.

Folate and Inflammatory Markers Moderate the Association Between Helicobacter pylori Exposure and Cognitive Function in US Adults

“…Although a number of studies have attempted to link H . pylori infection with folate, B12, and homocysteine levels, the results have been inconsistent . Despite this, a possible model of the underlying mechanism has been theorized whereby an initial inflammatory response from H .…”

“…The mechanism by which H. pylori may affect cognitive function is unclear, although inflammation or changes in folate metabolism could be involved [9][10][11][12][13]. However, few studies have directly investigated the mechanism by which H. pylori influences cognition.…”

Effects of betel nut on cardiovascular risk factors in a rat model

“…Both of these methods have been described in detail in a recent publication [19]. Determination of plasma homocysteine was carried out using a kit based on fluorescence polarization immunoassay (Abbott Laboratories, Ltd, Pakistan) following the instructions of the manufacturer.…”

Helicobacter pylori Infection is a Significant Factor Risk for Hyperhomocysteinemia in the Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

“…The authors showed that 46.2% of H. pyloripositive patients had hyperhomocysteinemia (>15 μmol/L) when compared to H. pylori-negative group (44%). They also reported that this was a higher proportion in comparison with that was observed in healthy population (Rasool et al 2012). The results demonstrated that H. pylori did affect directly HCY metabolism in the liver (Cenerelli et al 2002;Longo-Mbenza et al 2012).…”

“…However, it is important to consider that confounding variables such as vitamin deficiency, acute-phase response to vascular diseases, medication use, hypertension, advanced age and gender are well-known factors influencing homocysteinemia and should be considered. An inverse relationship was demonstrated among the homocysteine levels and H. pylori infection in the patients with functional dyspepsia in a cross-sectional study by Rasool et al (2012). The authors showed that 46.2% of H. pyloripositive patients had hyperhomocysteinemia (>15 μmol/L) when compared to H. pylori-negative group (44%).…”