Metabolite patterns of B vitamin–dependent pathways associated with metabolic syndrome in older adults from the Bushehr elderly health study

Metabolite patterns of B vitamin–dependent pathways associated with metabolic syndrome in older adults from the Bushehr elderly health study. Download PDF Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major global health challenge associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mortality, particularly among older adults. B vitamins are essential cofactors in the homocysteine–methionine, folate, and tryptophan–kynurenine pathways, which regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, and glucose metabolism.

This study investigated associations between B vitamin–related metabolites and MetS in 400 adults aged ≥ 60 years from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program. Demographic, lifestyle, and clinical data were collected, and fasting blood samples were analyzed using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. MetS was defined according to International Diabetes Federation criteria.

Principal component analysis (PCA) identified metabolite patterns, and logistic regression assessed their associations with MetS. Individuals with MetS had higher levels of total cysteine and several folate-related metabolites, nicotinamide and kynurenine pathway metabolites, whereas serine levels were lower. Factor 1, identified by PCA and consisting of kynurenine, quinolinic acid, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, cystathionine, anthranilic acid, neopterin, and total cysteine, was associated with 36% higher odds of MetS after adjustment for covariates.

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