Sufficient Vitamin B6 Levels Associated with Higher Levels of PUFAs in Older Adults

by | Aug 2, 2022 | 2022, DHA, EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Polyunsaturated

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Analyzing data from the NHANES 2003-2004 shows that US older adults with higher PLP levels was associated with a greater level of EPA, DHA, EPA + DHA, EPA/AA, and (EPA + DHA)/AA. The odds of having high plasma EPA (aOR: 2.03, P=0.049) and EPA/AA (aOR: 3.83, P<0.001) were greater in those with adequate B6 status compared to those with low B6 levels.

B vitaminsPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are part of the essential fatty acids and play important roles in human biology 1. Since the body cannot make n-3 and n-6 acids on its own, they must be obtained through rich dietary sources 2. They are commonly found in marine fish oil as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 3. PUFAs play a role in controlling inflammation, being components of the cell membrane, and the regulation of intracellular signaling pathways 4.

Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor in the metabolic reactions of homocysteine and regulates the transformation of various neurotransmitters involved in behavioral processes including sleep, learning, memory, and sensation of pain 5. Additionally, it is involved in over 100 enzymatic responses including carbohydrate metabolism and lipid/homocysteine metabolism 6. Pyridoxal 5’phosphate (PLP) is an active coenzyme form of vitamin B6, functioning as an essential cofactor for various enzyme-catalyzed reactions 7. Previous research has shown that diets low in vitamin B6 can alter PUFA compositions and suggest that gender may play a role in the metabolism of vitamin B6 and PUFA 8.

To better explore the potential association of gender specific B6 intake and plasma PLP concentration, with plasma PUFA concentrations in older adults, Kim H et al. conducted an observational study using data from the NHANES 2003-2004. Subjects (n=461) completed two 24-h dietary intake forms to analyze nutrition intake, along with providing information on supplements used regularly. PLP and PUFA levels were assessed from blood samples provided. Logistic regression was used to examine a potential relationship between adequate vitamin B6 levels and high PUFA in men and women, using deficient B6 levels as a reference. Significant results of the observational study are as follows:

  • Higher geometric mean plasma concentrations of LA, EPA, DHA, AA, and EPA+DHA were observed in women compared to men (P=0.006, P=0.005, P=0.013, P=0.002, P=0.01, respectively).
  • When evaluating whether gender modifies the associations between B6 intake and plasma PUFA concentrations, significant interactions were noted only for plasma EPA (P-interaction=0.008) and AA (P-interaction=0.004).
  • Plasma PLP concentration was strongly associated with plasma concentrations of EPA, DHA, EPA+DHA, and ratios of EPA/AA and (EPA+DHA)/AA in older adults. There were positive associations of plasma PLP with plasma EPA (b=0.104, P=0.002), DHA (b=0.045, P=0.005), EPA+DHA (b=0.06, P=0.002), EPA/AA (b=0.096, P=0.004), and (EPA+DHA)/AA (b=0.052, P=0.026).

Observational findings of the study show that adequate vitamin B6 levels were associated with greater odds of high plasma concentrations of EPA and EPA/AA among older adults. Significant gender differences were noted only for the relationship between vitamin B6 intake and plasma EPA and AA levels. Study limitations include the inability to confirm the cause-and-effect relationship due to the cross-sectional design of the study, the potential influence on vitamin B6 and PUFA levels by unmeasured variables, and the lack of participants with plasma PUFA measurements which may cause a sample selection bias.

Source: Kim, Hyojung, Evelyn B. Enrione, Vijaya Narayanan, Tan Li, and Adriana Campa. “Associations of Vitamin B6 Intake and Plasma Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate with Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in US Older Adults: Findings from NHANES 2003–2004.” Nutrients 14, no. 11 (2022): 2336.

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

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Posted August 2, 2022.

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

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