Folate Status and Plasma Homocysteine Concentration of Korean Adults

한국 성인 남녀의 엽산 영양상태와 혈장 호모시스테인 농도

We examined the relationship between plasma folate and total homocysteine(Hcy) levels and the distribution of plasma folate and Hcy levels from 204 Korean adults(113 men and 91 women aged between 20yr and 69yr). Plasma folate levels were significantly lower in men(12.2nmol/L) than in women(14.6nmol/L) after controlling for smoking and drinking(p<0.05). Plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in men(13.9$\mu$mol/L) than in women(11.8$\mu$mol/L) after controlling and drinking. Plasma Hcy levels were more more strongly correlated with plasma folate in women(${\gamma}$=-0.321, p<0.05) than in men(${\gamma}$=-0.202, p<0.05), but the difference between men and women was no longer statistically significant controlling for plasma folate concentration. Prevalence of mild homocysteinemia(plama Hcy>15$\mu$mol/L) was greatest among subjects with lowest folate status. These results indicate a strong association between plasma Hcy concentration and folate status and the poor folate status is the strong causative factor of mild homocysteinemia. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 393~400, 2001)