Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α (PPARα) is a known regulator of lipid and energy metabolism. In animal experiments of PPARα activation, we have reported on altered plasma concentration of metabolites related to one-carbon metabolism and B-vitamin status. Several of these metabolites, e.g. homocysteine and dimethylglycine, have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Diet can influence one-carbon metabolism, and this may partly be mediated through altered PPARα activity as dietary fatty acids can activate PPARα. As diet is a modifiable life style factor, the aim of this investigation is to explore potential associations between dietary composition and plasma concentration of one-carbon metabolites and markers of B-vitamin status.

The study population consisted of 1977 patients with stable angina (geometric mean age 61 years, 80% male) from the Western Norway B-vitamin Intervention Trial (WENBIT), who completed a self-administered food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Data on outcome variables were obtained from the baseline blood samples (35% fasting). Outcome variables of interest were metabolites related to one-carbon metabolism and B-vitamin status. Cross-sectional associations between protein, carbohydrate and fat intake with the outcome metabolites were analysed with linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, fasting status, BMI and reported energy intake. Estimates are given as % change in the outcome variable per isoenergetic increment of 1 energy % (E%) in the exposure nutrient.

The average distribution [95% prediction interval] of energy intake (E%) in the population was 48.5 (37.1, 63.4) from carbohydrate, 31.4 (21.9, 44.9) from fat and 16.5 (12.2, 22.3) from protein.

The strongest associations were seen for increasing protein intake, while the associations with fat and carbohydrate intake were weaker. The most pronounced associations (% change [95% confidence interval]) with increasing protein intake were higher cobalamin (2.9 [2.1, 3.7]), PLP (2.7 [1.7, 3.7]) and riboflavin (2.3 [1.0, 3.6]), and lower tHcy (-1.4 [-1.9, -0.9]) and MMA (-1.3 [-1.9, -0.7]).

The current observations indicate that dietary macronutrient composition may influence plasma concentration of one-carbon metabolites and markers of B-vitamin status. The strongest associations are observed with increasing protein intake, but elucidating the importance of the nutrient substituted remains. Whether the observed associations are due to macronutrients per se, or reflect differences in food choices/nutrient intakes, or effects on physiological factors, i.e. inflammation or PPARα activation, is not known.