Variation in plasma cystathionine and its relation to changes in plasma concentrations of homocysteine and methionine in healthy subjects during a 24-h observation period

BACKGROUND: Plasma cystathionine measurement may be a useful complement to total homocysteine measurement in the assessment of B vitamin status. Information on the within-person variation in cystathionine is currently sparse. OBJECTIVE: The goal was to study the daily variation in plasma cystathionine concentrations in healthy subjects. DESIGN: Twelve subjects (aged 22-29 y) were followed for 24 h. During the observation period, the subjects received a breakfast (containing 15-18 g protein) at 0900 and a beef dinner (containing approximately 50 g protein) at 1500. Multiple blood samples for metabolite analyses were collected during the day, and a final sample was obtained the next morning. The results are expressed as medians and interquartile ranges. RESULTS: All subjects had normal fasting cystathionine concentrations [0.120 (0.100-0.160) micro mol/L]. Cystathionine concentrations increased significantly after breakfast, reached a maximum after 4 h of 142.4% (100.0-170.3%) of the fasting concentration, and then declined to fasting concentrations before dinner. After dinner, plasma cystathionine started to increase within 0.5 h and reached a maximum after 6 h [281.3% (194.1-351.4%) of the concentration measured before dinner]. The changes in plasma methionine and total homocysteine concentrations during the day were less pronounced. CONCLUSION: Food intake, even of foods with low protein content, causes an increase in plasma cystathionine concentrations that is more pronounced than the concomitant changes in total homocysteine and methionine. In studies including plasma cystathionine measurement, blood sampling in the fasting state should be considered.