Effects of dynamic exercise on plasma arachidonic acid epoxides and diols in human volunteers.

Metabolites of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) pathway may contribute to vasodilation of the vasculature. However, it is not known whether exercise affects their circulating concentrations. The authors determined effects of exercise intensity and duration on plasma concentrations of epoxy and dihydroxy metabolites of arachidonic acid.

Low folate status is associated with impaired cognitive function and dementia in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging.

Background: Low folate status is associated with poor cognitive function and dementia in the elderly. Since 1998, grain products in the United States have been fortified with folic acid, which has reduced the prevalence of folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia.

Objective: We investigated whether folate status is associated with cognitive function and dementia in a cohort of elderly Latinos (aged >or= 60 y; n = 1789) exposed to folic acid fortification.

Plasma folate concentrations are associated with depressive symptoms in elderly Latina women despite folic acid fortification.

Background: A relation between low folate status and depression has been recognized since the 1960s. Since 1998, flour in the United States has been fortified with folic acid, and the prevalence of folate deficiency has decreased dramatically.

Objective: We investigated whether, in this era of folic acid fortification, low folate status is a determinant of depressive symptoms in a cohort of elderly Latinos (aged >/=60 y) participating in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA).

Homocysteine and cognitive function in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging.

Background: Elevated plasma homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia), an independent risk factor for vascular disease, has been reported to be inversely correlated with objective measures of cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer disease and in community-dwelling older adults.

Objective: We evaluated the cross-sectional relation between total plasma homocysteine concentration and cognitive function in elderly Latinos (aged > or = 60 y; n = 1789) participating in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging.

Design: Global cognitive function was assessed by using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination, and specific cognitive functions were assessed by using 6 instruments developed for cross-cultural and multilingual neuropsychological evaluation of older persons.

Transcobalamin II 775G>C polymorphism and indices of vitamin B12 status in healthy older adults.

A common polymorphism (775G>C) in the vitamin B12 transport protein, transcobalamin II (TCII), has been identified in which proline replaces arginine at codon 259. We determined the influence of TCII genotype on indices of B12 status, including total serum B12, the amount of B12 bound to TCII (holoTCII), methylmalonic acid, and homocysteine, in 128 healthy older adults (ages 40-88 years). Mean total B12 and homocysteine concentrations were not significantly different among the 3 genotypes.