Relationship between folate, vitamin B₁₂, homocysteine, transaminase and mild cognitive impairment in China: a case-control study

Abstract

To explore the association between the levels of serum folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine (Hcy), transaminase and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Chinese elderly. A case-control study was implemented between April and October 2016. Elderly participants aged ≥60 with and without MCI (n = 118 separately) were recruited from Community Health Center of Binhai New Area in Tianjin. Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated that Hcy was significantly positively correlated with alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and negative correlations were found among Hcy, Mini-Mental Status Examination score, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised by China intelligence quotient, folate and vitamin B12. The associations among MCI and folate, vitamin B12, Hcy and transaminase were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Lower folate levels and higher Hcy and ALT and AST levels were associated with MCI risk adjusted for multiple covariates. Increased ALT, AST, Hcy levels and lower folate levels were independently associated with the risk of MCI.